prominent, chased leading pair exiting back straight on first circuit, pushed along 4f out, outpaced when ridden coming off the home turn, soon struggling, kept on one pace for very modest gains near finish
held up, gradual headway from 3f out, pushed along approaching final furlong, ran on well to take second inside final 110 yards, never nearer
close up, led exiting back straight on first circuit, increased tempo 4f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden approaching final furlong, kept on gamely inside final 110 yards, always doing enough
prominent, ridden entering final 3f, gradually weakened inside final two furlongs, dropped to rear inside final 110 yards
held up in rear, gradual headway from 3f out, pushed along when raced wide off home turn, ridden to chase leader inside final furlong, lost second near finish
led, headed exiting back straight on first circuit but remained prominent, pushed along 4f out, ridden before final furlong, hung right when a little short of room entering final 110 yards, dropped to fourth final fifty yards
Smith was winning for the sixth time at Lingfield when scoring over today’s trip in February and seems something of course specialist. By contrast, WHAT WILL BE has recorded both wins on the all-weather so far at this venue including his latest start over 1m6f and this longer trip is not a problem having won over hurdles in the past. Cedar Cage is back up in distance having also won over 1m6f while Rock Chant failed to land a hat-trick off today’s mark at Newcastle and Lingfield winner Huscari is upped in class.
Smith (IRE) 3-1 (9-13) Tracked leader until 10f out, close up, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Feb beating Liberated Lad (9-8) by nk, 5 ran.
Cedar Cage 11-4 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in last pair, headway on inside over 2f out, soon switched right, went 3rd inside final 2f, ridden and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Johnny Boom (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Rock Chant (USA) Evensfav (10-7) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, chased leaders 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Kiss My Face (9-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Infiniti (IRE) 17-2 (10-5) Held up, struggling home turn, never involved, 8th of 16, dist behind Charging Point (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
What Will Be (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Held up in 4th, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, headway out wide and hung left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Apr beating Smokey Malone (9-8) by 1l, 6 ran.
Huscari (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on to lead inside final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Mar beating Big Jimbo (9-6) by hd, 8 ran.
