held up in rear, headway entering straight, ridden in 4th 2f out, went 3rd on inner 1f out, soon 2nd, stayed on well final furlong, just failed
raced close 2nd, led entering straight, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon no impression
led, ridden and headed entering straight, no impression from 2f out
held up in rear, ridden in last on outer 2f out, still last 1f out, late headway inside final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, improved to lead 1f out, soon strongly pressed, stayed on well under pressure, all out
dwelt and held up in rear, ridden and progress into 5th 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 7th 2f out, weakened
Strait Of Zanzibar last won a race on this card a year ago and though arriving in good form he would be better off in a handicap as he has a bit to find on official ratings. Toccata Blue could hardly be more consistent and is rarely beaten far. He hasn't run since December but should be fit enough and is expected to make the frame. EQUATION OF TIME gained his third Polytrack victory here in February, when Iron Major was beaten 2l, and made a bold bid to overcome an 8lb rise in the weights when beaten a length by Dancing Cosmos last month with Captain Cullen behind. Gary Philips' claim can see him return to winning ways. Saratoga Baby won three races last year on all kinds of surfaces. She will have needed her comeback in the Irish Lincoln and would have a definite chance at her best. Melvin The Grate won twice at Kempton as a juvenile for Andrew Balding and is an interesting recruit to Johnny Murtagh's yard. Joseph O'Brien was on board when Our Manekineko landed the first leg of a double here in December so don't be surprised by a return to form.
Captain Cullen (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden in 9th 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 21, 12l behind Stuccodor (9-9) at Curragh 1m Premier Handicap (4yo+) in Mar.
Toccata Blue (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace in 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 10, nk behind Indian Landing (8-11) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Dec.
Melvin The Grate (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Hefner (9-8) at Doncaster 1m app hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Equation Of Time 11-4fav (9-1) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to lead briefly 2f out, headed over 1f out, under pressure and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Dancing Cosmos (8-13) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Mar.
Iron Major (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Held up in touch in last, pushed along 2f out, ridden in last 1f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Dundalk 7f stks 0-80 pol in Mar beating Strait Of Zanzibar (9-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Our Manekineko 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden in 2nd entering straight, 3rd 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 18l behind Deep Speed (9-0) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol in Jan.
Saratoga Baby (IRE) 33-1 (7-9) Mid-division, 10th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, soon no impression, 11th of 21, 15l behind Stuccodor (9-9) at Curragh 1m Premier Handicap (4yo+) in Mar.
Strait Of Zanzibar (USA) 8-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead over 1f out, headed inside final 100 yards, no extra and kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Slipper Orchid (9-2) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Mar.
