slowly into stride, held up in last pair and off the pace, ridden along in 4th over 3f out, one pace and no impression final 2f, edged left inside final furlong
raced keenly, pressed leader and clear of rest, led 7f out, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well, eased close home
raced in 4th behind clear leading pair, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased clear leading pair, closed 4f out, ridden and went 2nd 2f out, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner over 1f out, held on for 2nd
steadied start, held up last and well off the pace, headway on wide outside over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner
led at good pace, pressed but clear of rest, headed 7f out, pchased winner, pushed along and every chance 3f out, lost 2nd 2f out, weakened
soon pushed along off the pace towards rear, ridden and struggling when hung left over 3f out
Nonrunner
Appyjack's four career victories have been on Polytrack and he has a poor record on Turf. Dazzling Valentine virtually refused to race at Brighton last time so is best left alone for the moment while it's difficult to know what to make of Kalahari, who hasn't run since a moderate effort in France just over a year ago though Ryan Moore's booking is a pointer. Giantstepsahead has only run once on Turf but hasn't been going badly on Polytrack so is on the shortlist but the vote in a very ordinary handicap goes to RED CATKIN despite his best effort on this track in October coming on soft ground.
Red Catkin 20-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden along and lost place 4f out, 10th of 12, 9l behind Modem (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Giantstepsahead (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, raced wide close up, headway to join leaders 6f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Tijuca (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Barnaby Brook (CAN) 10-3 (8-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, went modest 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 9l behind Artistical (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Hamble 9-2 (9-1) Raced wide towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impresssion, 11th of 12, 11l behind Squirrel Wood (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Appyjack 7-2 (9-0) In rear, ridden over 2f out, some late headway, never nearer, 8th of 12, 5l behind Olivers Mount (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
Lincolnrose (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Close up and soon pushed along, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind George Benjamin (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Mastered (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) last of 12, well behind Until Midnight (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Mar.
Dazzling Valentine 12-1 (9-3) Reluctant to leave stalls and lost all chance, detached, last of 5, well behind Megalala (8-13) at Brighton 1m 2f app hcp (6) gd.
Kalahari (IRE) (8-11) 4th of 16, 4l behind Hurricane Fire (8-11) at Angers(FR) 1m 3f stks gs in Apr '13.
Tingle Tangle (USA) 25-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, lost place and eased over 1f out, last of 11, 28l behind Catching Zeds (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.