mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
pulled hard, chased leader, weakened and edged right well over 3f out
in touch, chased leader over 4f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden and hung left, headed 1f out, driven and rallied towards finish
held up, always in rear
dwelt, held up in rear, hampered on inside well over 3f out, wide into straight over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong, not reach leading pair
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
close up, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led 1f out, held on well
A chance is taken with Aphrodisia, who can confirm superiority over Lapina, while the hat-trick seeking Naughty Thoughts is also respected. Naughty Thoughts has won a couple of weak races since the turn of the year but has impressed with her attitude on each occasion. She has more on her plate today, but is capable of a bold show in her current frame of mind. Lapina makes her seasonal debut at a course she likes and, with her stamina proven; she is also shortlisted as a contender. Pat Eddery¿s charge doesn¿t appear to be especially well treated in the handicap just now, though. Snake Skin is another that has more to find under a penalty but, as she gets on well with Jim Crowley, a solid case can also be stated in her favour. However, Aphrodisia looks the one with the fewest questions to answer and this daughter of the mighty Sakhee is taken to put her race-fitness to good use here.
Magdalene 11-4fav (9-3) Held up, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Distiller (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Lapina (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, bumped over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 50 yards, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Rehearsed (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Raquel White 8-1 (8-6) Took keen hold, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on one pace, last of 7, 4l behind Ryedale Ovation (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Snake Skin 12-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, held on well under pressure, all out, won at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Mar beating Trysting Grove (8-13) by a shd, 16 ran.
Aphrodisia 9-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, staying on when not clear run 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 5l behind Meditation (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Naughty Thoughts (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and ran on under pressure to lead last stride, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Mar beating Ermine Grey (8-10) by a hd, 9 ran.
Phone Call 12-1 (10-13) Held up behind, headway over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final 2f, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Blue Hills (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Royal Auditon 8-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, headway halfway to chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 32l behind Chart Oak (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
