chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken final furlong
always towards rear
started slowly, behind, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, headway over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, in touch, not much room over 3f out, one pace final 2f
led 1f, led again over 3f out, driven out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
led after 1f, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on
started slowly, always behind
towards rear, edged left and kept on final furlong, never dangerous
behind, ridden and headway final furlong, ran on, nearest at finish
Top weight St Ivian has to be respected but Norma Macauley's gelding faces no easy task under his 6lb penalty for a win in a seven-furlong seller here last week and preference is for Milton Bradley's Enjoy The Buzz, who gets the vote ahead of stablemate Aintnecessarilyso. The last mentioned ran promisingly behind another stable companion Bluebok at Bath on Wednesday evening and a reproduction of that effort would see him go close off a fair mark back on sand. Long Weekend is et to go up 2lbs in future handicaps following an improved display at Goodwood last time but that looks harsh and of more interest may be Southwell winner Vademecum, who could do better back on the Polytrack now that he returns to six furlongs. The consistent Val de Maal is closely matched with St Ivian on running last time and is another to consider along with banded stakes winner Count Cougar but the vote goes to Enjoy The Buzz. Milton Bradley's six-year-old has shown improved form on turf of late and looks to be well treated back on the all-weather off his old mark. Enjoy The Buzz is hard to oppose.
St Ivian 6-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, effort and headway 3f out, narrow leader 1f out, withstood challenge final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f sll hcp (6) pol beating Quincannon (9-11) by a shd, 12 ran.
Hellbent 15-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, effort and kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 6l behind Piccleyes (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Long Weekend (IRE) 16-1 (8-0) Dwelt, slightly hampered start, behind, driven and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Effective (9-5) at Goodwood 6f app hcp (5) gd.
Vademecum 7-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 21l behind Savernake Brave (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Val de Maal (IRE) 5-2fav (9-10) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden when headed 1f out, faded, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind St Ivian (9-12) at W'hampton 7f sll hcp (6) pol.
Count Cougar (USA) 7-2fav (9-3) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 14, 2l behind American Cousin (9-3) at Beverley 5f stk (7) gf in May.
Clearing Sky (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 8l behind Riquewihr (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (F4) pol in Feb.
Enjoy The Buzz 7-2fav (10-2) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 15, 10l behind Fly More (9-7) at Chepstow 6f hcp (6) gs.
