chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace
pushed along in mid-division, weakened over 1f out
awkward start, behind, under pressure before halfway, never dangerous
dwelt, always behind
prominent, under pressure halfway, soon one pace
dwelt, soon chasing leaders, every chance entering final furlong, hard ridden, just failed
behind, never on terms
chased leaders 3f, soon faded
chased leaders, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
BOOKIESINDEX BOY looked right back to his best when winning here last time and can go in again from Kummel Excess, whilst Diamond Blade and Punching are two others to consider in an intruiging heat. Our selection surprised many when dotting up here last time but there appeared nothing fortunate about the victory, with Stephen Craine only having to push his mount out in the closing stages to guarantee a facile success. He was suited by a furious early gallop that day so the hope is we get a strong pace; there does appear to be plenty on. Kummel Excess is one such pace angle as George Baker's runner won over further last time, so we can expect young Matthew Davies to try and make all once more over this shorter trip. As an improving three-year-old with course form he's another worthy of strong consideration despite the 6lb rise. Diamond Blade has made hay here over the winter and doesn't look handicapped out of winning again, but we're concerned as to whether he can reproduce his best now stepping back in distance. Similar reasons account for us opposing course specialist Punching who looked a shade unfortunate last time; Connor Dore's charge is admirable but all of his wins have come over further than this. We're hoping he is another helping to make this a relative test which will in fairness suit his stablemate Grudge, but this horse had few excuses when no match for Bookiesindex Boy last time and can be taken on. Calmdownmate has a chance off the same mark as when just held here last week but this does look tougher; he's preferred to First Order of the rest with the last-mentioned having to contend with a 4lb rise for finishing second. This isn't a bad sprint handicap but if Bookiesindex Boy arrives in the same form as he did when last here the rest may have to race for second.
Punching 5-4fav (9-7) In touch, ridden over 1f out, joined winner and led briefly inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, shd behind Novay Essjay (8-5) at Southwell 6f clm stks 0-70 (6) fbs in Mar.
Grudge 9-4fav (9-4) Dwelt, soon tracked leader, ridden 2f out, kept on, one pace, 4th of 11, 2l behind Bookiesindex Boy (9-0) at Southwell 5f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Mar.
Carmenero (GER) 25-1 (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 9l behind Kipchak (8-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
Guto 11-1 (8-13) Went right start, led narrowly, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Where's Reiley (9-3) at Southwell 5f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Kummel Excess (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Made all, shaken up approaching 1f out, ran on, readily, won at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Mar beating Tamarind Hill (8-8) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Lethal 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Fromsong (9-8) at Kempton 5f Claiming Stakes (0-75) (3yo+) (6) pol in Mar.
Diamond Blade 6-4fav (9-1) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec beating Tadlil (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Kyle (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Copperwood (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
First Order 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Lujiana (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Calmdownmate (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Mid-division, headway to lead well over 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Cavitie (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Bookiesindex Boy 14-1 (9-0) Broke well, went left start, steadied to mid-division, switched left 2f out, smooth headway to lead inside final furlong, won hard held, won at Southwell 5f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Mar beating Spic 'n Span (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
