mid-division, ridden 2f out, never in contention
reared in stalls and very slowly away, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
midfield, pushed along 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
midfield, pushed along 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, never nearer
took keen hold, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, made no impression
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never in contention
prominent, pushed along to challenge 2f out, ridden over 1f out, plugged on one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, made no impression
chased leaders, pushed along over 1f out, ridden 1f out, kept on well final furlong
Justcallmepete is a four-times track winner over 6f including at this level and wasn't stopping when runner-up over that trip here last month. Zip had been in excellent form at Newcastle before hanging left under an apprentice in a better race than this here last month. Eligible has scored on his last three visits here, all over the trip, and though taking a step-up in class is greatly respected. Perseverants' shock victory at Wolverhampton was put down to a drop to this trip and being gelded but the vote in a competitive handicap goes to HICKORY, unbeaten in three and eased right down at Kempton last time.
Moai (FR) 100-1 (9-11) Always in rear, last of 11, 7 1/4l behind Perseverants (8-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Sir Thomas Gresham (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Tabarrak (9-2) at Newbury 7f lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
On A Session (USA) 9-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, last of 9, 7 1/4l behind Tiger Crusade (9-9) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Zip 10-3 (8-11) Raced wide in touch, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Lord Of The Lodge (9-8) at Southwell 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Justcallmepete 15-8fav (9-9) Held up in mid-division, shuffled back towards rear before halfway, headway between horses over 1f out, went 2nd just inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sir Robin (9-9) at Southwell 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Hickory (IRE) 11-8fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, smooth headway out wide over 2f out, nudged into lead entering final furlong, fair bit in hand, won at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Maysong (9-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
See You Boy 5-2 (8-6) Took keen hold, prominent on inside, driven over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Shallow Hal (8-5) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Khathak 6-1 (9-8) Prominent near side of group, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, soon behind, tailed off and eased, last of 13, 31l behind Atrium (9-9) at Ascot 1m hcp (4) gd in May.
Perseverants (FR) 28-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (3) pol in Feb beating Revolutionise (8-8) by hd, 11 ran.
Eligible (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Steadied and switched left start, held up in last pair, smooth headway and switched left 2f out, ran on between horses inside final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Tylos (9-10) by nk, 8 ran.
Chola Empire 5-2 (9-2) Raced wide close up, ridden to chase clear winner approaching final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Kingdom Come (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
