held up behind, ridden 3f out, no real progress, never nearer
made all, led, hard pressed 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, driven out
tracked winner, ridden and pressed winner 2f out, every chance final furlong, no extra near finish and lost 2nd final strides, finished 3rd, placed 2nd
raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, no progress and weakened quickly over 1f out
steadied start, towards rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong when clear to take 2nd final strides, finished 2nd, disqualified and placed 3rd
started slowly, in rear, headway and hanging left over 1f out, kept on, not reached leaders
mid-division, headway to chase leaders on inner over 2f out, soon not clear run, not quicken final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra and one paced final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place and weakened over 2f out
A competitive race to open the card and the vote is given to Grizebeck who is preferred to Champagne Shadow and Piano Key. The selection ran well when second behind Dreams Jewell here last time and a reproduction of that effort should make him tough to beat. Matthew Davies is a talented young rider and he takes over in the plate tonight which is another plus. Champagne Shadow disappointed last time but this step-up in trip will suit him and he should fare better over this extra 2 furlongs. Piano Key won well last time but that was a weak race and this filly does not have a good strike-rate. Ronsard finished behind Piano Key when last seen out so he is another that looks to have a little to find. This is a tough contest but Grizeback has plenty in his favour and he gets the vote.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 4-6fav (9-0) In touch, pushed along 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Buscador (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (5) pol in Feb.
Grizebeck (IRE) 11-4 (10-3) Tracked leader, led after 3f, ridden and headed over 2f out, pressed winner final furlong, every chance, just held, 2nd of 12, shd behind Dreams Jewel (10-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol.
Haatmey 4-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 8, 15l behind King's Fable (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Annapurna Sunrise (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Oasis Sun (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Ronsard (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Raced wide, prominent until ridden and weakened 4f out, 11th of 12, 42l behind Blue Hills (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol.
Saint Eric (FR) 16-1 (8-7) Held up and behind, pushed along over 5f out, ridden 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 6l behind Speagle (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Reminiscent (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up, headway on inside when hampered over 4f out, switched right and headway over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Piano Key (8-5) at W'hampton 2m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Piano Key 6-1 (8-5) Mid-division, headway 3f out, led over 2f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 2m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb beating Ronsard (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Divine Love (IRE) 150-1 (9-5) Started slowly, in rear, headway over 3f out, soon under pressure, never dangerous final 2f, 6th of 12, 9l behind Blue Hills (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol.
