chased winner until over 1f out, no extra in 3rd final furlong
slowly into stride, off the pace in last, some late headway, never on terms
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened inside final 2f
made all, edged left from 2f out, hung left and ridden inside final furlong, ran on (hand timed)
chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, always held
Zapper Cass was a long odds-on chance when making all under a big weight in a seller here last week and is better than plating class. His stable companion Moonraker scored at this level here in December and ran in a Class 2 handicap last time so this is his grade. Jack The Truth was having his first start since September when scoring at Lingfield nine days ago and a 4lb rise doesn't look enough to prevent another big run. National Anthem completed a double here last month but a rise in the weights has halted his progress so the vote goes to DOC SPORTELLO. Tony Carroll's charge has never run here but has won on Polytrack, Tapeta and soft ground. He's been racing in better company and has won from a higher mark in the past.
Zapper Cass (FR) 1-12fav (10-0) Made virtually all, driven and hard pressed over 2f out, soon ridden, edged right and asserted clear final 110 yards (hand timed), won at Southwell 5f stks (5) pol in Feb beating Robot Boy (9-6) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Moonraker 17-2 (9-1) Prominent, driven and outpaced 2f out, soon ridden and lost place, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Astro Jakk (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Jack The Truth (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, pushed along 2f out, progress over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Green Door (9-3) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
National Anthem 5-2 (9-7) Raced freely, led, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Dandys Gold (9-3) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Doc Sportello (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, headway far side of group over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, not reach 1st 2, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Venturous (9-0) at Newcastle 5f hcp (3) pol in Jan.