headway to chase leader after 1f, until over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders on inside, pushed along 3f out, behind final 2f
hampered start, behind, came wide straight, headway over 1f out, kept on into 2nd final 100 yards, until near finish
chased leader 1f, prominent, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, no danger after
chased leaders on outside, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
soon chased leaders, led 2f out, clear over 1f out, ridden final furlong, kept on
behind, headway on outside over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on to take 2nd near finish, not reached winner
Nonrunner
Gallantry would be showing just that if able to defy a 6lb penalty and follow up his recent Kempton win tonight, and while he has to be short-list material, we'll side with AVISO to come good. The Barney Curley-trained pick rattled up a hat-trick on his first three career starts but has not added to that in 11 subsequent attempts. Once rated as high as 95, he now races from a career low mark of 67, and his effort at Lingfield last time when 3lbs higher showed a chink of light at the end of the tunnel. True, he has to prove himself on this particular circuit, but that aside he will be plenty straight enough after his recent spin and tonight could be the night to catch him. Gallantry is still well enough handicapped on his form of last year if he can recapture it, though recent evidence suggests that consistency is not his strong suit and Kempton may have been the time to be with him. Smalljohn appeared to be in the grip of the assessor last time, but he does at least race over his optimum trip and enjoys himself here, so a win would not be a huge shock. Chief Exec looks held by the handicapper, but Peter's Gift is not badly treated now if he can show his best around here. Caution is advised here and Aviso gets the nod.
Gallantry 9-2 (8-6) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Pegasus Again (9-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Fifty Cents 66-1 (9-1) Dwelt, headway to track leaders after 2f, chased leader over 4f out until over 2f out, last of 9, 25l behind Alfresco (8-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Smalljohn 4-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Arachnophobia (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Seneschal 11-10fav (9-5) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge, 6th of 7, 5l behind Scruffy Skip (9-0) at Brighton 6f sell stks (6) fm in Sep.
Chief Exec 9-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Ocean Legend (9-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Peter's Gift (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) In rear, pushed along after 2f, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Hits Only Jude (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Feb.
Avontuur (FR) 10-1 (9-1) Mid-division on inside, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 21l behind Ishiadancer (9-4) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Fol Liam 20-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on under pressure, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Royal Challenge (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (5) pol in Sep.
Harare 11-4fav (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 7th of 13, 6l behind Well Of Echoes (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Aviso (GER) 13-2 (9-4) In touch on inside, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, never troubled leaders after, 8th of 11, 5l behind Charlie Smirke (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
