prominent, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well, readily
led, ridden and headed 1f out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd towards finish
prominent, not much room and lost place after 1f, ridden over 2f out, went 4th and kept on same pace from over 1f out
prominent, outpaced over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, never involved
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, eased from over 1f out
Some speedy performers line up in this qualifier. It's difficult to know what to make of Gamgoom, a multiple winner in Germany and successful in a Listed contest at San Siro in October for which he's penalised. Lancelot Du Lac, a close third in the Wokingham in June, almost landed a Listed contest on heavy ground at Doncaster in November and has won his last two starts on Polytrack at Kempton. LIGHTSCAMERACTION made all in a Class 2 handicap at Lingfield a month ago and looks well up to this grade so just gets the vote though the hugely expensive Likely, a maiden winner at Carlisle in May, ran well for a long way in a Listed contest at Sandown the following month and his trainer doesn't waste journeys. Magnus Maximus ran a cracker in one of these qualifiers at Lingfield in November and is respected on that form.
Gamgoom (9-0) last of 8, 22l behind Lohit (9-0) at San Siro 5f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Lancelot Du Lac (ITY) 11-8fav (9-7) Made all, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 6f hcp (2) pol in Nov beating Intransigent (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Lightscameraction (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden out final furlong, won at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol in Dec beating Brother Tiger (8-6) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Magnus Maximus 20-1 (9-3) Keen, close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Goken (9-7) at Lingfield 6f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Meadway 9-2 (9-7) In touch, very wide into straight 2f out, headway and edged left entering final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders, 4th of 7, 3/4l behind Red Stripes (8-10) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Vimy Ridge 25-1 (8-4) Behind, driven over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 8th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Spring Loaded (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Likely (GER) 3-1 (8-9) Mid-division, not clear run over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Waady (9-0) at Sandown 5f lst stks (1) gf in Jun.