held up, headway 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, lost place 6f out, not clear run 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on
held up and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders to halfway
in touch, lost place halfway, rallied over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, ran on towards finish
behind, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong, ran on
led early, chased leader to 5f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway 5f out, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung right inside final furlong, held on gamely
held up and keen, headway over 5f out, chased winner 3f out until no extra inside furlong
soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A poor seller here but something has to win and the main protagonists look to be Pending, Bijou Dan and Distant Country and the vote is given to Pending. The selection was a good third in a claimer last time behind Vancouver Gold. That form has since been franked and in what looks an easier race he is impossible to oppose. Bijou Dan rates the main danger on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time so can not be put forward with any confidence. Distant Country is another worthy of respect on his never nearer sixth behind Quantam Leap last time. The drop in grade and step up in trip will suit and he should be monitored in the market. Merdiff, and Atlantic Ace are others dropping in grade and could go well but consistency is not their strong point and in a desperate affair where stakes should be kept to a minimum we will stick with Pending to lead them home.
Bijou Dan 6-4fav (9-4) Chased leader 7f out until ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 14l behind Sol Rojo (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Distant Country (USA) 6-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden over 3f out, hampered and checked over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 10, 3l behind Quantum Leap (8-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Atlantic Ace 33-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, effort and headway on inside over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 10l behind New England (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Bowing 66-1 (9-12) Took keen hold in rear, always behind, 7th of 10, 33l behind Marmota (8-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
Dane's Rock (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 14, 6l behind Wilford Maverick (9-0) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs.
Frank's Quest (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Behind, ridden 3f out, never near leaders, 11th of 12, 5l behind Samson Quest (9-1) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Feb.
Merdiff 9-2 (8-12) Held up, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 6l behind Imperium (8-12) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol.
Pending (IRE) 5-2fav (9-8) Slowly into stride, joined leaders after 2f, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Vancouver Gold (9-6) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs.