tracked winner until over 1f out, kept on
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
dwelt, towards rear and outpaced
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, held on towards finish
chased leaders, chased winner over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish
in touch in 4th, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish
The veteran Secret Asset is defying his years and has won off much higher marks than this in the past. He's just 4lb higher than his last success though takes a slight step-up in grade as does Something Lucky, who is also up the same amount after his victory over the track and trip last month. RUSTY ROCKET (NAP) landed a Class 3 handicap at Musselburgh last summer from just 3lb lower. He reappeared with an excellent run at Southwell a fortnight ago and with that under his belt can go one better. Top Boy didn't win last year but he's gradulally come down the weights and should soon put matters right but it's over two years since Ballista last won a race and he's let supporters down in two claimers at Lingfield this month. Pushkin Museum once looked promising and is interesting having his first start since September 2014.
Ballista (IRE) 5-4fav (9-12) Led 1f, tracked leader, led again 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Doctor Parkes (9-10) at Lingfield 6f stks (6) pol in Mar.
Rusty Rocket (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Led 1f, chased leaders after, stayed on strongly well inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Crosse Fire (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Vimy Ridge 12-1 (8-9) Raced wide towards rear, some headway over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Bosham (9-7) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Scarborough (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final ffurlong, 10th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Dungannon (9-6) at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Something Lucky (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and edged left to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Bahango (9-5) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Top Boy 20-1 (9-5) In touch and keen, ridden inside final furlong, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Nuno Tristan (9-0) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
King Crimson 7-1 (9-7) Led, riddden inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 10, hd behind Welease Bwian (9-0) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Secret Asset (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Temple Road (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Pushkin Museum (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 14th of 15, 15 1/4l behind Tagula Night (9-7) at Chester 6f hcp (4) gs in Sep.