in touch, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra final furlong
behind, driven and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, driven over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten
always behind, tailed off 7f out
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led just over 1f out, ridden out and held on well
Plenty with appeal in this handicap, but non more so than BLOCKLEY who makes the selection ahead of Kokkokila and Dart. The gelding has been progressive since being stepped up to 1m4f and has been the victor at his last two attemps. He wore first time cheek pieces last time and they seemed to have a positive effect. He should have no trouble with the longer trip here and can complete the hat-trick. Distance winner Kokkokila was in decent from before his five month break and should fare well on his return to the turf today. Dart hasn¿t been seen since late January. Her form back then was good though and though the mare has not had much racing and should remain competitive. Lucky Dancer has been largely disappointing over the all weather recently, but this switch to turf may prove beneficial as for the remainder a market check is advised due to lack of any recent good form. In what could turn out to be a three horse race, our selection goes to Blockley.
Russian Invader (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Dropped out start, in rear, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 10l behind Rare Coincidence (9-4) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Blockley (USA) 13-8fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Bold Adventure (9-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Kokkokila 3-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon edged right, eased inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 11l behind Laurel Creek (9-5) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Rose Bien 20-1 (8-7) Raced in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Kavaloti (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Lucky Dancer 4-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up towards and raced keenly, ridden over 3f out, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 10, 7l behind Vinces (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lawyer To World 40-1 (9-1) Prominent, led over 4f out, headed over 2f, weakened over 1f, 5th of 7, 11l behind Rawdon (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Ice And Fire 40-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, reminders over 4f out, headway to 3rd over 3f out, soon ridden along, weakened and lost 2 places inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 18l behind Supsonic (9-12) at Southwell 2m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Mar.
Renege The Joker 100-1 (9-6) Prominent until weakened over 4f out, soon tailed off, last of 13, well behind Coin Of The Realm (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Jul.
No Rules 10-1 (8-9) Steadied in start, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 13, 10l behind Elliwan (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs in Mar.
Dart 7-1 (8-13) Towards rear, reminders halfway, driven 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 14l behind Aureate (9-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcap (4) fbs in Jan.
