slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway inside final 2f, never reached challenging position
chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, effort under pressure approaching final furlong, one pace
held up in mid-division, headway inside final 2f, stayed on final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, no danger final 2f
in touch, ridden on outer 3f out, ran wide into straight, eased when no chance final furlong
held up in rear, never reached leaders and no danger final 2f
pulled hard in mid-division, ridden and beaten over 3f out
mid-division, ridden on outer 3f out, driven and no impression over 1f out
raced keenly, led after 1f, headed 2f out, still every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
led for 1f, stayed tracking leader, led 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, caught last stride
held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, soon struggling
close up, headway to chase leader, approaching final furlong, driven and stayed on to lead last stride
close up hard ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
Nonrunner
Night Storm is expected to carry top-weight to victory here, Bishops Finger and Devil's Island look to be the main rivals. Since winning over course and distance in December, the selection has put in two very good efforts in defeat. The booking of Jamie Spencer could be significant and a big run looks on the cards. Bishops Finger laned a claimer here earlier this month in game fashion. Previously he had struggled a bit in handicaps, but with his confidence restored we may see him involved in the finish. Sir Mark Prescott's Devil's Island showed much improved form to win at Wolverhampton last time and with the step up in trip likely to suit, another big performance can be expected. Salinger has strong claims on the pick of last year's form, but Night Storm has the best overall profile here and gets the verdict.
Night Storm 13-2 (8-13) Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner briefly entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Bonnabee (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Ramsgill (USA) 11-4 (8-10) Chased leader, ridden every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Night Storm (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Bishops Finger 14-1 (8-11) Steadied rear, good headway inside final 2f, squeezed through to chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol beating Mad Carew (9-9) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
My Pension (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Led early, lost position over 7f out, headway on over 1f out, ran on, 4th of 13, 5l behind Kindlelight Debut (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Danse Spectre (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Held up, headway 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside last, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Dec beating Lady Pilot (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Iberus (GER) 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 12, 1l behind King of Music (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Cup of Love (USA) 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Bavarica (8-9) by a hd, 13 ran.
Devil's Island 12-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Kirkstone (9-4) by a hd, 12 ran.
