mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon edged left, headed and no extra inside final furlong
soon well behind
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon not much room, one pace final furlong
held up and keen, ridden 3f out, no impression
A tight little handicap here with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Gallego, Itcanbedone Again and Jakarmi, and the narrow vote is given to Gallego. The selection won well last time out when beating Pharaoh Prince and although he is stepping up in grade here he looks a progressive type and off what remains a fair mark he will be hard to beat. Itcanbedone Again rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Merrymadcap but he looks weighted up to his best and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Jakarmi is another that could go close as he won well last time when beating Dragon Slayer but he has a penalty for that win and that may just find him out. Of the remainder Compton Eclipse remains well weighted on his best form but disappointed last time so can not be but forward with any confidence. Bridgewater Boys is from a yard in form and is another that could go well but he looks vulnerable off this mark and with this in mind for the winner we return to Gallego.
Compton Eclipse 7-1 (9-1) Led early, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Following Flow (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Arran Scout (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, no impression straight, 11th of 18, 10l behind Indian Pace (9-9) at Leopardstown 7f hcp 0-70 hvy in Oct.
Jakarmi 7-1 (8-13) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Dragon Slayer (9-4) by a hd, 13 ran.
Redwood Rocks (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Local Poet (9-4) at W'hampton 7f handicap (5) pol.
Bridgewater Boys 7-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, still close up when hampered on inside 1f out, not recover and eased, 7th of 13, 5l behind Jakarmi (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Mister Benji 12-1 (9-1) Held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace under strong pressure, 8th of 14, 7l behind Tyzack (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Itcanbedone Again (IRE) 6-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Merrymadcap (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Gallego 9-4fav (9-2) Held up, headway 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol beating Pharaoh Prince (9-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
