held up towards rear, ridden inside final furlong, no impression
held up, ridden 1f out, headway inside final furlong, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
tracked leader, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 1f out, headway inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, no impression final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
broke well, led 1f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
Having beaten horses rated 70 and 71 when landing his maiden at Wolverhampton last month, Henry Cecil's ZERZURA looks to be well treated off a mark of 73 for her handicap debut today and she looks the one to beat with the main dangers rated as Erinjay and I Confess. The last mentioned looks the pick of the two runners in the race trained by David Evans ahead of Bennelong and he has been running consistently well of late so has to be considered. Eric Wheeler's El Libertador ran much better here last time when narrowly beaten by Hereford Boy and he has to be considered racing off the same mark today. Spanish import Expensive Problem looks too high in the weights following his win here last month, while Aflaam has similarly been punished by the handicapper for his win here two starts ago. Michael Wigham's Erinjay has only had four starts and can again race off the same mark as when successful at Kempton two starts ago. He should be better suited by the faster track today than Wolverhampton's slower surface last time and has to be considered but Zerzura looks well treated first time in a handicap and can win again.
Alfresco 12-1 (8-10) Dwelt, in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Thunderball (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Trafalgar Square 6-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Sarah's Art (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol.
Bennelong 11-1 (7-13) Took keen hold early, chased leaders, ridden and carried head high over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Audemar (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
Zerzura 10-3 (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, driven final furlong, tiring towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan beating Capeability (9-3) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Erinjay (IRE) 4-5fav (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Expensive Problem 4-1 (9-6) In rear, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Resentful Angel (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Aflaam (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Erinjay (9-5) at Kempton 1m app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Jan.
I Confess 6-1 (8-6) Led, ridden 2f out, driven and edged left when headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Sarah's Art (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol.
El Libertador (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong, kept on and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Hereford Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
