tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened quickly
close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, beaten when not much room inside final furlong, soon eased
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, weaved through field from over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd close home
keen, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, switched right entering final furlong, stayed on
slowly away, always in rear
raced wide, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken final furlong
keen, close up, ridden 2f otu, slightly outpaced over 1f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
held up, ridden and short of room entering final furlong, kept on
keen, raced wide mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, always in rear
Red Birr was good value for his win over the extended mile at Wolverhampton last time and should not be inconvenienced by the step up to 1m2f here but a 7lb penalty may just anchor Paul Webber's gelding and preference is for Augustus John, who gets the vote ahead of Reaching Out. The last mentioned has, like the selection, been knocking on the door recently but Nick Littmoden's gelding is creeping up in the weights and may be best watched now. Sunset Boulevard was good value for his maiden win here last month but faces no easy task first time in a handicap, while Sky Quest is consistent but is proving to be hard to win with. Magic Warrior is strictly held by Red Birr on running last time and preference is for Augustus John, who lost no caste in defeat when narrowly beaten on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton recently, the pair clear, and he is taken to go one better today.
Red Birr (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, rallied to regain lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb beating Harare (8-4) by 1l, 12 ran.
Augustus John (IRE) 5-6fav (8-12) Always prominent, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Symbol Of Peace (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Sunset Boulevard (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) In touch, headway 2f out, led well over 1f out, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan beating Moon Empress (8-12) by a shd, 10 ran.
Sky Quest (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Close up, effort and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 13, 1l behind Tous Les Deux (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Magic Warrior 16-1 (8-13) Held up, came wide straight, headway final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Red Birr (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Cinematic (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Prominent, led briefly 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 3l behind Silent Storm (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Reaching Out (IRE) 11-2 (8-4) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed 1f out and no extra, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Pass The Port (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Street Life (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Watchmaker (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
