set steady pace until quickened over 4f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, switched right to challenge over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, went 2nd at halfway, led over 1f out, driven clear, stayed on strongly
tracked leader, effort on inside over 1f out, faded closing stages
Nonrunner
Toptempo dotted-up in a selling contest at Lingfield last time but will find this much tougher raised 11lb. APPARATCHIKA (NAP) is preferred on her handicap debut after winning a maiden race with a ton in hand and this longer trip looking sure to suit. Rae Guest's filly gets the nod with last month's winner Moulin Rouge looking a bit one-paced when stepped up to 1m4f at Kempton last week and Celestial Bay 8lb higher than her victory at Lingfield in December. Dansili Dutch is back on a winning mark but arrives out of form, as does The Blue Dog.
Toptempo 9-2 (9-0) Dwelt and went right start, held up towards rear, smooth headway to chase leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 4f sel stks 0-70 (6) pol beating Crakehall Lad (8-10) by 8l, 6 ran.
Celestial Bay 12-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 9, 7l behind Urban Castle (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5).
Apparatchika 5-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, ran green throughout, hung left when challenging well over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, wandered closing stages, readily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn auc stks (4-6yo) (6) pol beating Deinonychus (9-5) by 3l, 4 ran.
The Blue Dog (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Held up, lost touch 3f out, soon eased, virtually pulled up over 1f out, last of 9, well behind Zambeasy (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Dansili Dutch (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 10l behind Sheriff Of Nawton (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec.
Moulin Rouge (DEN) 5-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Sandy Cove (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
