mid-division towards near side, pushed along halfway, weakened and behind soon after, tailed off
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, soon behind, tailed off
mid-division near side of group, hung left over 2f out, soon weakened
went left start, prominent in centre, went 2nd over 2f out until inside final 2f, went 2nd again inside final furlong, no chance with winner
went right start, prominent in centre, led 4f out, went clear over 2f out, ridden and reduced lead inside final 2f, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner, weakening when lost 2nd inside final furlong
led on near side rail, hung left to centre 5f out, headed 4f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, outpaced soon after, plugged on
mid-division, good headway near side of group over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won going away
dwelt and hampered start, outpaced, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened soon after, tailed off
off the pace in last pair, plugged on final furlong, never nearer
steadied start, held up in rear, some headway near side rail over 2f out, hung left inside final 2f, plugged on final furlong
Antagonize built up a healthy lead here last month but was ran down by BROCTUNE RED in the closing stages. The latter is taken to confirm running in this and land a course and distance hat-trick given the remainder of today’s opposition inspire little confidence. Vertice went close over 1m2f here before struggling behind the selection while Velma has yet to figure in a handicap having won a novices' race over track and trip last year. Exhalation has switched yards and Polar Cloud makes his handicap debut.
Velma 7-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, slight headway when ridden 2f out, never involved, 7th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Pholas (9-2) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Exhalation 16-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, pushed along and outpaced halfway, ridden and detached over 2f out, eased over 1f out, last of 9, 31 1/4l behind Morrooj (9-5) at Chepstow 1m hcp fll (5) sft in Aug.
Merricourt (IRE) 17-2 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, 11th of 13, 19 1/2l behind Delph Crescent (9-12) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Glengarry 25-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up and always towards rear near side, 10th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Herringswell (9-5) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Polar Cloud 10-1 (9-2) Chased winner until pushed along over 3f out, hung right and weakened over 2f out, 4th of 5, 27 1/4l behind Greek Kodiac (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (4) pol in Mar.
Antagonize 12-1 (9-0) Led, pushed along over 1f out, just headed final 110 yards when outpaced by winner, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Broctune Red (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Broctune Red 11-8fav (8-11) Mid-division, switched right and pushed along over 2f out, progress 1f out, led final 110 yards, ran on, gamely, won at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb beating Antagonize (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Oakmont (FR) 33-1 (11-4) In rear, headway travelling strongly 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Set In Stone (11-3) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Panzertank (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Dwelt towards rear, ridden halfway, never near leaders, 5th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Action Hero (8-10) at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Aiden's Reward (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden for effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Fashion Free (9-6) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Vertice (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 12 1/4l behind Broctune Red (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
