raced keenly, chased clear leader to 2f out, soon one pace, weakened inside final furlong
led and set fierce pace, soon well clear, 8 lengths clear approaching final furlong, weakened quickly and headed final 100 yards
held up 5th, no impression on leaders over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, gaining towards finish
held up 3rd, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, pushed out
reared start, held up last, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous final 2f
held up 4th, went 2nd to chase clear leader 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, just outpaced by winner
Nonrunner
A tricky end to the night but PERLACHY comes here chasing the hat-trick and a 5lb rise in the weights may not be enough to stop him. The selection is game and consistent and his partner Luke Morris has got to know the horse well. One worry today for this prominent racer is his wide draw but if he can overcome that then he shouldn't be far away. Compton Classic is consistent but his last win came in January 2008, Brunelleschi has a 4lb rise for a recent Lingfield win (not a great race), whilst Towy Valley is unexposed but her jaunt into claiming company last time suggests that she may not be the best handicapped horse around. Onceaponatime looks the pick of Michael Squance's pair, and Alan Munro looks an interesting jockey booking for the yard having ridden a winner for them already from just two rides. Silver Prelude and Guildenstern represent two canny trainers so each needs a check in the betting, however it is Perlachy who receives the tentative vote.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind Mogok Ruby (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Silver Prelude 12-1 (9-0) Led and set good pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 12l behind Mogok Ruby (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Guildenstern (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) In touch on inside, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind What Katie Did (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Brunelleschi 16-1 (8-6) Keen, tracked leader, hung left and led over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Louphole (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Averoo 3-1 (8-10) Held up, effort halfway, never dangerous, last of 9, 7l behind Leading Edge (9-3) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Perlachy 6-1 (8-4) Held up in touch on inside, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating El Dececy (9-4) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Compton Classic 6-1 (8-4) Keen, tracked leader over 3f out, close up over 1f out, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Bahamian Lad (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Towy Valley 10-1 (9-4) Towards rear, soon driven, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd line, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Desperate Dan (9-6) at W'hampton 5f clm (5) pol.
