held up, headway over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish
led after 1f, headed 4f out, chased leader until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, soon every chance, weakened inside final furlong
keen, held up in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
steadied start, keen and held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on
keen, led 1f, remained close up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, raced towards standside alone, headway to lead 4f out, soon clear, joined main group over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A moderate handicap with many chances and we offer our selection to Imperial Sword although Davids Mark and Forced Upon Us are sure to have their followers. The selection showed well over six furlongs at the track last month and was only narrowly beaten by Polar Force as they reached the finish line. He reopposes with Balerno and should confirm form. Davids Mark is better known as a Kempton specialist. He may find this trip stretching him somewhat and fast ground would have been ideal. Forced Upon Us is yet to win on turf. That said, he put up a pleasing return at Kempton. Bear Bottom was often backed at the start of the year and has an interesting jockey booking with Phillip Robinson. Christine Dunnett has plenty of winners here so Norcroft is noted in the market. Vince Slattery replaces a claimer on Kempton winner, Shava. Moverra had bits and pieces of form when trained by Michael Grassick in Ireland and has dropped massively down the weights. Fun In The Sun is ordinary but represents a yard that are at least sending out winners. Not a race to be too dogmatic about and Imperial Sword is our pick.
Norcroft 20-1 (8-12) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind After The Show (9-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Forced Upon Us 7-1 (9-3) Led early, stayed prominent, ridden to lead again inside final furlong, headed close home, no extra, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Jessica Wigmo (8-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Davids Mark 4-1fav (8-12) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, no extra and headed near finish, 3rd of 12, shd behind Marmooq (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Shava 9-2 (8-4) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden and outpaced final 2f, last of 8, 7l behind Lindbergh (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Just Oscar (GER) 10-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, pulled hard, ridden over 2f out, no response, 11th of 12, 15l behind Playtotheaudience (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Balerno 13-2 (8-10) Raced centre, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Polar Force (8-9) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-50 (6) gd.
Torver 33-1 (9-0) Slowly in to stride and always behind, 10th of 13, 6l behind Emma Jean Lad (9-0) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Moverra (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) In rear final 4f, last of 9, 14l behind Decider (8-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Imperial Sword 8-1 (8-8) Raced centre, in touch, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, caught close home, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Polar Force (8-9) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-50 (6) gd.
Bodden Bay 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden 5f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Blue Empire (9-5) at Southwell 7f sll (6) gf.
Fun In The Sun 11-4 (8-10) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 8, 6l behind Straight Face (8-12) at Kempton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Gee Ceffyl Bach 16-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Guadaloup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Barley Moon 66-1 (8-3) Keen in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, soon eased, 11th of 16, 30l behind Silver Mitzva (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Bear Bottom 3-1fav (8-12) Dwelt, mid division, ridden 3f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 17l behind Buscador (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
