always behind
tracked leader, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner well over 1f out, not quicken
held up, headway over 3f out, kept on and no impression from over 1f out
With Rawdon continuing to be frustrating we'll side with QUINCE ahead of Monfils Monfils. The pick comes here after a decent winter all-weather campaign which ended with a comfortable victory in a claimer from which the form looks rock solid. Having posted a runner's up spot off a mark five pounds higher in December he should go well again on ground which he took victory on off this rating last summer. Rawdon has the annoying habit off just finding on or two too good recently but did score at Southwell off a mark two pounds worse off in February. A return to the turf may well bring about his best but he is too inconsistent to trust. Monfils Monfils relished this ground on his return to turf on his penultimate start in a similar race. The gelding found life a lot tougher under this mark in a better race last time but this ia easier and he should be close. Gifted Leader was consistent without being progressive last season but makes his handicap debut off a realistic mark while Red Wine ran better for his return to turf last time but has some form to overturn on Monfils Monfils on similar terms Not the strongest race to end the day with then but Quince can finish it on a high.
Quince (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks (5) pol in Feb beating Bridgewater Boys (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Simonside 10-1 (9-4) Chased leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Blockley (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Rawdon (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) In touch, keen, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Bell Island (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Eton Fable (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Led, headed 5f out, led again 3f out, hard ridden entering final furlong, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Bassinet (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Graylyn Ruby (FR) 15-2 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 32l behind El Diego (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Jan.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 7-2fav (8-12) Held up mid-division, effort on outside over 3f out to over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Herrera (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Red Wine 18-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Monfils Monfils (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (5) gf in Mar.
Gifted Leader (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind Cape Tribulation (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stks (5) sft in Oct.
Heart of Dubai (USA) 33-1 (8-9) Led after 1f, headed 3f out, weakened quickly, tailed off, last of 9, 31l behind Falcativ (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
