chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear and soon outpaced, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never nearer
with leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
with leader, effort and every chance 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
behind, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression
with leaders on inside, driven over 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
behind, headway well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
led narrowly, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
In an ultra tight handicap we're just going to side with the potentially well treated HIGHLAND WARRIOR ahead of Distant Sun while Ingleby Star remains weighted well enough to at least challenge for minor cash. The pick ran a cracker from out of the handicap over course and distance last time when finding just the one too good. Back at his proper weight, three pounds better off, he looks to have real live claims if running up to that standard again. Distant Sun was only a length away from scoring the last time we saw him again over course and distance. If returning in the same form he has every chance but the fitness edge lies with the selection. Ingleby Star has a bit to prove after his poor run on his return to the turf last time. That said he does go well here and is a pound better off in the handicap than when scoring over course and distance on his last turf win. Sir Geoffrey has been on a progressive run of form but only just held on last time so will have to improve again with three pounds added to his back and Grissom is another for the list but he's up in the weights despite defeat last time. A very tricky puzzle to solve this but Highland Warrior looks weighted for a big run.
Grissom (IRE) 3-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to press winner when short of room and hampered well over 1f out, no extra and lost 3rd final strides, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Tamasou (8-12) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Nov.
Northern Bolt 6-4fav (9-0) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Catterick 5f clm stks (6) sft in Nov beating Absa Lutte (8-5) by 3l, 10 ran.
Ingleby Star (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened and edged left inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Luscivious (8-9) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Lucky Art (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway 2f out, no impression when not much room well inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Steel City Boy (8-10) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Distant Sun (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Igoyougo (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, switched right over 1f out, ridden and no impression soon after, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sarah's Art (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 4-1fav (8-13) Made all, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, held on, won at Wolverhampton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar beating Steel City Boy (8-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Musical Bridge 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Bel Cantor (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Highland Warrior 50-1 (7-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, plenty to do over 1f out, ran on final furlong to snatch 2nd final strides, 2nd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Luscivious (8-9) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
The Bear 20-1 (8-7) Led, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 34l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-1) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Oct.
Hosanna 40-1 (8-6) With leaders, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Lost In Paris (9-2) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-58 (6) gf in Oct.
Sandwith 18-1 (9-2) Pushed along to chase leaders, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Igoyougo (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
