started slowly, always in rear
pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well
took keen hold and prominent, weakened over 1f out
not much room start, held up, hampered on inside over 4f out, headway well over 1f out, never near leaders
mid-division, edged slightly left over 4f out, ridden and lost place over 3f out
held up towards rear, not clear run briefly 2f out, headway well over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, ridden and wide over 2f out, no impression after
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace
held up, headway final furlong, not reach leaders
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
A nightmare handicap for punters with a number of frustrating sorts and Birthday Star is predicted to take the scalps of Montchara and Apache Fort. The selection was well backed ahead of a stronger contest around Dunstall Park but failed to secure a run as the race drew to its conclusion. There is always a risk when taking a view about a horse who lucks unlucky in running and this should be factored into any stakes played. Montchara is potentially open to further improvement given his few starts thus far. Apache Fort is in rude form but is meeting stronger opposition than those previously accounted for. Buscador and Regency Red are regulars around here and are watched. Thorny Mandate is probably better than recent form suggests while Swords ran an encouraging race a week ago. Of the remainder, Desert Hawk looks interesting with the application of a visor rather than blinkers. Birthday Star has questions to answer but we believe he can deliver the answers on Saturday.
Raise The Heights (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Held up, reminders over 9f out, headway 6f out to chase leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, 11th of 13, 33l behind Global Strategy (9-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Montchara (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, soon headed, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Penang Cinta (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol.
Birthday Star (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) Mid-division, not clear run on inside over 2f out, headway when not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2l behind Carlton Scroop (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Apache Fort 3-1fav (8-9) In touch, shaken up over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, soon in command, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan beating Blackmail (9-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Regency Red (IRE) 18-1 (10-5) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden along 3f out, driven and ran on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Court Of Appeal (10-11) at Southwell 1m 4f amt clm stk (6) gd.
Buscador (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Chased leader, led briefly over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 10l behind Scottish River (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Behind, moderate headway final 2f, 9th of 14, 6l behind Norwegian (8-8) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Master'n Commander (9-1) Held up, ridden 3f out, chased leaders and hung left over 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 3l behind King After (8-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
