keen led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
keen tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon clear, ran on readily
went badly left start, held up, ridden 3f out, never near leaders
dwelt in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
close up, ridden over 1f out, headway to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on
held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
dwelt towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
LANGLEY VALE improved to take third place at Lingfield last time and, as that looks stronger form than the recent efforts of Compton Prince and Exkaliber, Roger Teal's charge gets the nod. Dangers abound with a handful of seasonal debutants looking capable of winning this year. Gabriel's Lad finished runner-up in all three starts including when second to an Andrew Balding-trained winner over C&D and the latter runs Backtrade here, who also finished runner-up over track and trip in August. Sir Fredlot, Silkee Supreme and Khaleejiya are others to note along with the more exposed School Fees in a tricky opener.
Backtrade (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Soon led, not handle bend over 4f out, headed 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Compton Target (9-2) at Kempton 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Aug.
Compton Prince 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Yeeoow (8-13) at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Exkaliber 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and edged left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 7l behind Khubala (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Gabriel's Lad (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Prominent, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Fortrose Academy (9-3) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Langley Vale 14-1 (9-3) Held up, headway 2f out, soon ridden, ran on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Khubala (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Silkee Supreme 11-2 (9-3) In rear, headway on inner over 3f out to track leaders, left 2nd 10 yards out, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Chandigarh (8-7) at Bath 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd in Jul.
Sir Fredlot (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, no impression when weakened to 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Princess Of Orange (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) sft in Sep.
Snowy Valley Three Valleys gelding out of Rasseem.
Starlight Secret Exceed And Excel gelding out of Caribbean Star.
Indian Moon 100-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 19, 15l behind Perfect Step (9-0) at Newmarket 7f mdn fll stks (4) gs in Apr.
Khaleejiya (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Van Der Art (8-11) at Newcastle 6f 2yo stks (4) gd in Sep.
School Fees 5-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, led 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dishy Guru (9-7) at Folkestone 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Apr.
