with leaders early, settled to race in touch, pushed along and lost place 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, well beaten over 1f out
held up, in touch over 12f out, going well enough 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon edged left and no impression, stayed on same pace
tracked leader until over 12f out, prominent, driven over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure from over 1f out to lead well inside final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
led, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon hung left, never nearer
prominent, chased leader over 12f out until 3f out, no impression from over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, closing on 2nd near finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A another competitive handicap, this time in the staying division and the vote goes to IF I HAD HIM ahead of City Stable and Royal Premier. The selection is owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and was unlucky to bump into a very well handicapped horse of Barney Curly's on his latest start. This Irish important should enjoy the step up in trip today and the ever reliable Tony Culhane takes the mount for George Baker. City Stable returned with a nice second ten days ago and is taken to improve for the run. The step up in trip may bring out some further improvement from a stable that have winners here. Royal Premier caused a shock when winning over the course and distance ten days ago at 33-1. There was no fluke about the victory though and is one to monitor now he got his head in front. Suppernoverre and Asroleo are others to note but If I Had Him gets the nod.
Supernoverre (IRE) 4-1fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, lost place well over 2f out, headway on inner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 9th of 13, 5l behind Paint The Town Red (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Honorable Endeavor 22-1 (8-8) Behind, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to get competitive, 5th of 11, 7l behind On Terms (9-2) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
City Stable (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd post, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Iceman George (8-13) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp (6) gd.
If I Had Him (IRE) 2-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Savaronola (10-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Dovedon Angel 3-1fav (8-12) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, went 3rd 4f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Mediterranean Sea (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Astroleo 8-1 (8-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4f out, ridden and stayed on, 4th of 12, 5l behind Broughtons Point (8-5) at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Barbirolli 33-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway and raced wide over 2f out, kept on and no impression final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Blackstone Vegas (10-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Dulce Domum 16-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 12th of 13, well behind Galiotto (9-0) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Dazzling Begum 14-1 (8-4) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Cozy Tiger (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Three Boars 7-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon tracking leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 11l behind Bivouac (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Royal Premier (IRE) 33-1 (7-12) Held up behind, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Kazbow (9-8) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Rock Tech 33-1 (8-3) Behind, headway over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 13l behind Nayessence (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
