tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong no extra
held up behind, effort over 1f out, no impression
always towards rear, tailed off over 2f out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up rear division, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra
Count Montecristo finished well ahead of Berlusca when scoring over track and trip but is 5lb higher for this. Toga Tiger has gone close the last twice here and also has a shout along with top weight Amazement, who won at Newcastle in November. But NONIOS (NAP) was aimed high when failing to figure in a Class 2 race at the track last time having won by three lengths in this grade over course and distance before that. David Simcock’s charge gets the nod with an apprentice’s 3lb allowance further helping his cause.
Amazement (GER) 5-1 (9-8) Held up in mid-division on inside, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went never nearer 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Franco's Secret (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Arrowzone 6-1 (9-3) Pulled hard held up, headway to press leader 7f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 6 1/4l behind Coillte Cailin (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Nonios (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, in touch early, some headway from 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 10 1/4l behind Mythical Madness (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Count Montecristo (FR) 12-1 (9-2) Made all, clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Hairdryer (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Toga Tiger (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Dutch Uncle (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Masterful Act (USA) 2-1fav (8-13) Chased leaders, went 3rd over 4f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Yul Finegold (9-9) at Southwell 1m 4f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Berlusca (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up mid-division and keen, soon towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Count Montecristo (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Auntie Barber (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Visage Blanc (8-9) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp fll (4) gs in May.