held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance 1f out, ran on
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders 4f
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders 4f
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
with leader until ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
slowly into stride, always behind
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, lost place over 3f out, soon behind
Up Tempo, Gilded Cove and Mission Affirmed look the three to concentrate on in this claimer with the confident vote going to Up Tempo. The selection was a good second behind Soba Jones last time out. Granted the drop to the minimum trip is a slight concern but this is a poor race and he has a little in hand on official BHB figures. Gilded Cove rates the main danger on his latest fifth behind Councellor in a better race but he is becoming expensive to follow and at the likely odds he looks worth taking on. Mission Affirmed is another worthy of respect on his latest third behind Vicious Knight but that was over a much longer trip and he may not have the pace to land a blow over the minimum trip here. Of the remainder, Imperium won a seller last time out when beating Roman Empire but he will find this tougher and in a poor race for the winner we return to Up Tempo.
Gilded Cove 5-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 13, 2l behind Councellor (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Mission Affirmed (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Vicious Knight (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol.
Up Tempo (IRE) 5-4fav (9-1) Outpaced towards rear, ridden over 2f out, chased winner from over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Soba Jones (8-12) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs.
Sweet Pickle 7-2jt-fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 7l behind Winning Pleasure (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Alpaga Le Jomage (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Led, headed halfway, soon ridden, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Winning Pleasure (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Imperium 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, ridden when headway and switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol beating Roman Empire (9-3) by 1l, 11 ran.
Million Percent 6-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden when edged left and bumped 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 4l behind Imperium (8-12) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol.
Diamond Josh 4-1 (9-9) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 7l behind Jalouhar (9-3) at W'hampton 6f clm (5) pol in Feb.