took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened 2 out
held up, ridden after 3 out, soon beaten
in touch, went 3rd 2 out, no impression between last 2, lost moderate 3rd flat
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway under pressure after 2 out, went moderate 3rd flat
led to 2nd, tracked leader to 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, closed on leader and went 2nd 2 out, challenged between last 2, led approaching last, driven clear flat
held up in touch, lost place 4th, soon in rear
jumped left, raced keenly, led 2nd, clear 5th, reduced lead when jumped left 2 out, joined between last 2, headed approaching last, no extra
always in rear, ridden and struggling approaching 2 out, well behind when jumped right last
Gustavo has not been seen for nearly a year but is taken to win this at the expense of Misbehaviour and Dafarabad. The selection comes from a yard hot in form at present. He won back to back races at Bangor and Ludlow but then pulled up when running off a mark of ninety one at Fakenham. He obviously sustained an injury that day and while he runs off the same mark here after such a long lay off the yard are booting home the winners so we feel Gustavo has the ablity to get back to winning ways. Misbehaviour has not won since February of last year and although he has but in some sound efforts this season he has also run the odd stinker. Having said that he has been in better quality races than this lately so dropped in grade he warrants respect. As does Dafarabad whose early form as a four year old looked promising but has not recaptured his early ability for some while now so is probably best watched for the time being. So for the winner we return to Gustavo.
Lord Lington (FR) 25-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, pushed along after 3 out, chased leading pair and stayed on same pace until next, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Romany Prince (11-7) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Misbehaviour 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 12, 50l behind Papini (11-3) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) hvy.
Dafarabad (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Tracked leading pair, challenged approaching 2 out, 3rd and held when mistake last, 4th of 7, 9l behind Romany Prince (11-7) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Dumaran (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat, 5th of 20, 10l behind Kickahead (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Mount Benger 6-1 (11-2) In rear, mistake when hampered 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 12, 18l behind Star Double (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy.
Joli Classical (IRE) 40-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 9th of 15, 46l behind Celtic Major (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Gustavo 11-10fav (11-2) Always towards rear, blundered 3 out, soon pulled up 3 out in race won by Beau Torero (10-10) at Fakenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jan '06, 12 ran.
Fixateur 12-1 (11-6) Led to 4th, tracked leader until weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 14, 31l behind Grey Samurai (10-11) at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Moon Star (GER) 500-1 (10-12) Held up, jumped left 1st and 2nd, effort approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 9, 29l behind Nobelix (11-4) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Zacharova (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling from 5th, 6th of 8, 35l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
