raced wide in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on towards finish
dwelt soon recovered, close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, ran on close home
in rear, never on terms
keen close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, stayed on towards finish
prominent, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
Tim Easterby had a couple of opening day winners at Newcastle and Excellent Times completed a double last summer including a Class 3 handicap at York and his later runs were in much better company. Bear Force One also completed a double around the same time but they were at a lower level though he was only beaten narrowly in a Class 3 handicap at Kempton in November. Six-times winner Cliffs Of Capri is well up to this level as he showed when scoring at Meydan in February while Deep Intrigue was beaten a short-head when last seen over this course and distance in July and remains on the same mark. ARBALET (NAP) has joined David O'Meara after an unsuccessful spell last season where he looked too high in the weights. Runner-up in a heritage handicap at Ascot in 2018 and placed at Group 3 level, he's sunk to a low handicap mark and is with the right man to take advantage. Rathbone is fit from the all-weather and is another with a chance in an open handicap.
Lyndon B (IRE) (8-6) 9th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Velorum (8-6) at Meydan 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Hateya (IRE) (9-0) 5th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Magic Lily (9-3) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Feb.
Cliffs Of Capri (8-5) won at Meydan 1m hcp gd in Feb beating Moqtarreb (8-9) by hd, 13 ran.
Bear Force One 6-1 (9-5) Keen close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Entangling (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Kimifive (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Took keen hold,close up, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, last of 5, 4l behind Revolutionise (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Jack's Point 20-1 (9-1) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Reeves (8-6) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Rathbone 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, kept on same pace, 10th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Assimilation (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Excellent Times 20-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 9, 15l behind Blown By Wind (9-0) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Via Serendipity 4-1 (9-10) Prominent, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 12, 9 1/4l behind Assimilation (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Arbalet (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Prominent, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Lethal Lunch (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Asdaa (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened and eased when not much room towards finish, 5th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Aljari (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Deep Intrigue 6-1 (9-7) Tracked winner after 2f, ridden and hung left approaching final furlong, driven and rallied to press winner close home, 2nd of 7, shd behind Qutob (9-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
