dwelt headway to track leader after 2f, led entering final 3f, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
dwelt in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
close up, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, joined winner inside final furlong, ran on, just held
close up, lost place over 3f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on one pace
in rear, headway on outer over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and joined inside final furlong, edged right and ran on
led, ridden and headed entering final 3f, weakened 2f out
Mcbirney has been in decent form winning twice over shorter trips at Kempton this year. However, he finished nearer last when when tried over track and trip in January and Foster's Road makes more appeal. The latter beat the re-opposing Capellanus over course and distance earlier this month and should make another bold bid ahead of John Mackie's runners, Marmas and Hallstatt, who both step up in class. MURCAR has been unlucky not to add to January's course and distance victory with a couple of subsequent seconds in more competitive races than this. He gets the nod to return to winning ways here.
Murcar 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, dropped into mid-division after 6f, headway over 2f out, edged left well over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, edged right and ran on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Thecornishcockney (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Mcbirney (USA) 7-2 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Kempton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol beating King Olav (9-1) by 5l, 7 ran.
Capellanus (IRE) 2-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, in 4th place, effort on outside over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on to 2nd post, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Foster's Road (8-9) at Wolverhampton 2m hcap (4) pol.
The Absent Mare 8-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway after 6f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 13l behind Thecornishcockney (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Foster's Road 15-2 (8-9) Steadied start, held up in rear, good headway on inside over 4f out, went 3rd over 3f out, going well when not clear run over 2f out until well over 1f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 2m hcap (4) pol beating Capellanus (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Marmas 2-1fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, led over 1f out, soon joined, ridden and found extra, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct beating Squad (10-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Hallstatt (IRE) 11-4 (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, hard ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded final furlong, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Blazing Desert (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.