held up in touch, went 2nd 3f out until 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 5f out, weakened 3f out
held up, ridden 5f out, no progress
mid-division, not clear run on inside over 2f out, headway when not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on inside final furlong
not much room leaving stalls, ridden 5f out, always behind
held up in touch, not clear run over 3f out and lost place, ran on inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
soon tracking leader, lost 2nd 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
raced keenly and held up, headway on outside over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, every chance when edged right over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
took keen hold, always prominent, slightly short of room over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out or over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway on outside well over 1f out, not troubled leaders
chased leaders, hung left over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Zalkani looks the one to beat in this handicap with Regency Red and Missie Baileys the others to seriously consider. Jeff Pearce's 7-year-old is a course and distance winner and he confirmed his well-being last time when getting the better of First Friend at Lingfield. Although the draw is not hugely significant over this trip, he is still well drawn in stall 1 and he stands out as the most likely winner. Regency Red has not won yet this year but he showed that his turn would not be far away last time over this course and distance when he chased home Atlantic Gamble. Missie Baileys was third behind our selection last time at Lingfield but on these terms there is no reason why she should reverse the placings, although if they go at a fair clip then that will play to her strengths. Little Richard is better than he showed last time and is another to consider, but Zalkani has plenty of ticks in the right boxes and can make it back-to-back wins.
Zalkani (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, good headway on inside over 2f out, chased leader 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (6) pol beating First Friend (9-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Little Richard (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden along over 5f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 29l behind Muntami (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Birthday Star (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Mid-division, weakened 2f out, 9th of 14, 7l behind Our Kes (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Escoffier 7-1 (8-12) Led, headed after 1f, led again 4f out, headed over 1f out and faded, 4th of 14, 3l behind Amwell Brave (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Buscador (USA) 13-2 (8-0) Half reared leaving stalls, soon prominent, led 7f out, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Symbol Of Peace (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Missie Baileys 8-1 (8-7) Keen, prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Zalkani (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (6) pol.
Choristar 40-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Luxurix (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Regency Red (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up and behind, headway over 3f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Atlantic Gamble (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Feb.