always rear division
held up towards rear, effort when not much room and switched left over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest at finish
towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort halfway, soon beaten
never better than mid-division
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, led over 2f out, driven when headed inside final furlong, rallied close home
towards rear, effort when not much room and hampered over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
in touch, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, edged right and kept on close home
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
dwelt and towards rear, effort halfway, no impression
DARK LANE is selected here ahead of Lucky Numbers, Ray Of Joy and Fivefootnumberone. This looks a strong handicap and Dark Lane is just a tentative nomination. David Barron's gelding has only had four starts but having got off the mark in a fairly valuable Newmarket race in August, his subsequent second to Mabait at Haydock was full of even more promise. He was raised 4lb for that run but he may have more to come and is well-thought-of by connections. Lucky Numbers is ridden by Andrea Atzeni, one of the leading claimers, and Paul Green's progressive colt would be of interest if handling the ground. Ray Of Joy has been progressing well on the all-weather this winter, Fivefootnumberone makes his return to the track and this son of Acclamation goes without the visor, whilst Swiss Diva and Whatyouwoodwishfor may not have yet stopped their winning. Proclaim is another to consider in a tricky race but it is Dark Lane who is tentatively preferred.
Polish Pride 8-1 (8-1) Chased clear leader, ridden 2f out, keeping on same pace when short of room towards finish, 5th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Khor Dubai (8-6) at Newmarket 6f 2yo & 3yo stk (3) gs in Oct.
Swiss Diva 1-4fav (8-12) Raced wide, in touch, chased leader over 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Sonhador (9-3) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Fivefootnumberone (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Visterre (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Red Kyte 25-1 (8-10) Led, steady pace after 2f, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened quickly, last of 14, 12l behind Nashmiah (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 3yo Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Ray of Joy 12-1 (9-0) Held up in touch on inside, headway to chase clear leader inside final 2f, closed to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Cecily (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Spiritofthewest (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Prominent 4f, last of 15, 40l behind Harry Patch (9-0) at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Lucky Numbers (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, not much room and hampered over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 11l behind Mister Laurel (8-10) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Tagula Breeze (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 20l behind Bonnie Charlie (8-13) at Doncaster 6f 2yo stk (2) sft in Sep.
Proclaim 9-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Laudatory (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Whatyouwoodwishfor (USA) 7-4fav (8-12) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, weakening when edged right over 1f out, 5th of 6, 6l behind Tobond (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Soul Sista (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders for 4f, 5th of 6, 8l behind Desert Phantom (8-12) at Windsor 6f 2yo stk (3) gs in Aug.
Harriet's Girl 33-1 (8-5) Slowly away, behind, some late headway, 10th of 16, 13l behind Nasri (8-10) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Dark Lane 7-2fav (9-6) In touch stand's side, led group over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left far side approaching final furlong, kept on under pressure, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Mabait (9-0) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
