led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
always behind, struggling from 4f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
MICHELE STROGOFF (NAP) has been competing in Class 2 company since scoring by over two lengths over course and distance last month. Mick Appleby’s charge can return to winning ways in this lesser company only 3lb higher. Mr Top Hat rarely wins but ran well for third in this grade at Lingfield recently and looks the main danger to the selection, though Key Player should be sharper for a recent reappearance. Juanito Chico is raised in class today while Swiss Storm and Corinthian return from lay-offs with the latter last in action in 2016.
Michele Strogoff 7-1 (8-12) Led, driven and headed 2f out, ridden 1f out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Matterhorn (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Mr Top Hat 9-2 (9-1) Always chasing winner, ridden just over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Book of Dreams (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Swiss Storm 11-4 (9-3) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, headway 7f out, lost 2nd and hanging left 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, dist behind Everything For You (9-0) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Sep.
Key Player 10-1 (8-13) Keen early, prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Mr Scaramanga (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Corinthian 10-1 (8-6) Behind and outpaced, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Calvinist (8-2) at York 1m 6f hcp stks (2) gd in Oct.
Juanito Chico (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Went right start, pulled hard in rear, headway over 1f out, soon not clear run, never a threat, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Executive Force (9-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Feb.