always prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, just held on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, one pace
chased leader, led over 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, just held
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
very slowly away, always behind
led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
Nonrunner
Norwegian holds his form well and should be thereabouts again this afternoon, but on this occasion we just prefer Bridgewater Boys, with Blue Sky Thinking also expected to be in the shake up. Kevin Ryan's six-year-old took advantage of a drop to selling company last time out, comfortably beating some modest types. His previous handicap form was of a decent standard and he looks fairly treated under today's race conditions. Norwegian came up against the well handicapped and improving Our Kes last time out and wasn't beaten far. He has a bit to find on official ratings but should still put up a bold showing. Blue Sky Thinking was beaten by today's rival The City Kid last time out but should reverse the form at today's weights and a place beckons. Insignia and Grandad Bill are two capable of causing an upset, but the solid form is held by Bridgewater Boys and he gets our vote.
Blue Sky Thinking (IRE) 7-4fav (9-13) Raced keenly, always prominent, led 2f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 2l behind The City Kid (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol.
Samuel Charles 8-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f, 6th of 9, 6l behind Lopinot (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Climate (IRE) 11-4 (8-8) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, lost place slightly over 3f out, progress over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind The City Kid (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol.
Defi (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, gradually weakened, 5th of 8, 12l behind Bold Diktator (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Bridgewater Boys 7-4fav (8-11) In touch, led over 3f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3f sll (6) fbs beating Starcross Maid (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Norwegian 7-2 (8-10) Always prominent, ridden, every chance entering final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Our Kes (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Intricate Web (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, stayed on from 2f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 8l behind Atlantic Gamble (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Feb.
Grandad Bill (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 16l behind Sanctity (8-10) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Retirement 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 14, 3l behind Smoothie (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Spy Gun (USA) 4-1 (8-4) With leader until weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Doctor's Cave (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
The City Kid (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, led and hung left inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol beating Blue Sky Thinking (9-13) by 2l, 12 ran.
Insignia (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway on inside 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 23l behind The City Kid (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (5) pol.
Itcanbedone Again (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Never a factor, 9th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Golden Spectrum (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
