tracked winner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on
keen close up, effort over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
slowly away in rear, not trouble leaders
made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely
close up, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
raced wide close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden when weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
Course and distance winners Billy Red and Commandingpresence demand respect in an open heat but this may well be set up for a strong finisher with both Welease Brian and SECRET MILLIONAIRE fitting the bill. Both have landed back-to-back victories in a winter all-weather campaign but preference here is for the latter, who does have Turf successes to his name unlike Stuart Williams' gelding. Much will depend on the gaps opening at the right time while Indian Tinker, despite not scoring since his juvenile season, continues to perform with credit at this level and should be thereabouts again.
Storm Lightning 8-1 (9-5) Led 1f, chased leaders, ridden to lead again entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Red Cape (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Secret Millionaire (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Red Cape (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Welease Bwian (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Slowly away in rear, pushed along over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Secret Millionaire (9-4) at Kempton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Ladweb 14-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 7l behind Foxy Music (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Indian Tinker 9-2 (8-13) In touch, ridden 1ft out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Megaleka (8-12) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Billy Red 12-1 (9-1) Behind, pushed along and weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 7l behind Roy's Legacy (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Compton Prince 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Foie Gras (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Commandingpresence (USA) 50-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and edged left 2f out, driven and joined entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 11, shd behind Black Truffle (8-2) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Cardinal 25-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 13, 10l behind Discussiontofollow (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.