chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, chased leaders, lost place over 2 out
made all, driven clear over 1f out, kept on well
chased leaders, effort on inside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
outpaced in rear, never dangerous
always behind
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, no impression
NonRunner
NonRunner
NonRunner
Crosse Fire, who finished fourth in this last year, has occupied the same spot in his two recent starts on the track and is probably a few pounds high. Berlios gained his only victory to date here in March 2016 but nearly doubled his tally when just failing to catch Amazing Grazing at Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago. The winner is better off at the weights with his rider's allowance taken into consideration, though the runner-up is better drawn. KOMMANDER KIRKUP completed a double here in December and has been narrowly beaten in two subsequent starts on the track, the latest three weeks ago. He's running so well that he's handed the vote as Angel Palanas, who gained his first victory here last time, is 10lb higher. The Amber Fort was only beaten a neck by the selection here last month though hasn't performed as well in subsequent starts.
Monte Cinq (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Led briefly after start, prominent, ridden over 2f out, losing place when hampered inside final furlong, weakened, 10th of 13, 5l behind Amazing Grazing (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Amazing Grazing (IRE) 9-2fav (9-5) Took keen hold, made most, ridden over 1f out, kept on, just lasted, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Berlios (9-0) by nk, 13 ran.
Crosse Fire 11-2 (9-6) Chased leader, ridden and chance over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 3/4l behind Something Lucky (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Angel Palanas 9-2 (9-6) With leader, led halfway, ridden 2f out, clear when edged left over 1f out, ran on well, easily, won at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Tagur (9-9) by 6l, 8 ran.
Declamation (IRE) 11-4 (9-10) Chased leading pair, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Spun Gold (9-9) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Kommander Kirkup 7-2 (9-1) Outpaced towards rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Hammer Gun (10-0) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Berlios (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, not much room over 1f out or when closing 1f out, ran on well, went 2nd close home, just held, 2nd of 13, nk behind Amazing Grazing (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Mister Freeze (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, 11 1/2l behind Baltic Prince (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Alfonso Manana (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division on inside, headway when not much room over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Desert Fox (9-7) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
One For Jodie (IRE) 17-2 (9-7) Raced stand side, mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 19, 22 1/4l behind Kyllach Me (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Mehdi (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Outer Space (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.
The Amber Fort (USA) 4-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Tavener (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Brockholes 10-1 (9-2) Chased winner, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Archimedes (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
