held up mid-division, headway to chase winner over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and held towards finish
always towards rear
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, headed over 3f out, soon pushed along, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch in 4th, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon edged right, held on well towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never dangerous
Star Ascending has been brilliantly placed to win seven of his last eleven including over this track and trip last time for which he's only 2lb higher but he's never run in a Class 4 handicap and the assessor may have finally caught up with him. Dream Magic was a length behind in that latter event when conceding 3lb so must have a chance of reversing the form. Beach Break has been running moderately over hurdles and looks a bit high in the weights and though Denmead looks reasonably treated he may find this on the short side, a remark that also applies to Lady Makfi. Sky Eagle has only had five races, winning a Class 6 handicap at Kempton in November, and he has more to do so the vote goes to AGENT GIBBS. Much better than these on Turf in 2016 when completing a double over this trip at this level, he was returning from a very long break over a trip too short at Chelmsford earlier this month and that should have put him spot-on.
Agent Gibbs 16-1 (9-3) Held up, headway 2f out, went 4th well inside final furlong, no impression on front trio, 4th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Extra Mile (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Denmead 16-1 (8-0) Pulled hard, led until over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 20, dist behind Who Dares Wins (9-0) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Beach Break 9-2 (10-12) With leader, led 4th, headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 14l behind Uptown Funk (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Dream Magic (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Star Ascending (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Star Ascending (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden to lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Apr beating Tidal Watch (9-4) by ns, 9 ran.
Icefall (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Led, headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, dist behind Golden Birthday (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Hazamar (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Steadied start in touch in rear, pushed along 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Inn The Bull (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Sky Eagle (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Held up in mid-division, closer in 4th before 3 out, 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead inside final 2f, idled in front, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Malt Teaser (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Lady Makfi (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Slow into stride, in rear, plenty to do 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Scrafton (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
