pulled very hard behind, rapid headway to chase winner 3f out, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, no impression over 1f out
mid-division, hanging right 2f out, ridden and soon outpaced
towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, not trouble winner
in touch, chased winner 1f out, no impression, lost 2 places near finish
made all, quickened clear over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, ridden out
steadied start, held up in rear, no impression on leaders final 2f
tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon outpaced
always behind, never a factor
tracked winner, no impression over 1f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong
always towards rear, never on terms
Is It Time can come out on top in this handicap, with Royal Envoy and Ishibee the others to consider. The selection is looking to make it back-to-back wins after a game success over 5f last time. The key today is the step-up in trip as she is better over 6f and although the draw could have been kinder, she rates as a confident choice. Conversely, Royal Envoy will not be suited by this trip as he is better over further, and although he is entitled to run his race, we will pass him over. Ishibee finished behind our selection last time but he is better off at the weights here and he does have the better of the draw. He looks the main danger to our choice. Granakey is from a shrewd yard and is worth noting in the market, but this looks a good opportunity for Is It Time who can win again.
Is It Time (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Held up, outpaced halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, hung right and led inside final furlong, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Dec beating The Geester (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ishibee (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Fast Freddie (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Lucius Verrus (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 6l behind Dasheena (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Royal Envoy (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Confidentiality (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Tilsworth Charlie 3-1fav (9-0) Held up in touch, kept on to chase winner just over 1f out, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Angel Voices (8-7) at Kempton 6f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Arfinnit (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, raced wide, towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 9l behind Muktasb (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Granakey (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) In rear, forced wide entering straight, soon hung left, not clear run entering final furlong, stayed on, never nearer, 5th of 11, 6l behind Bens Georgie (8-6) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Fish Called Johnny 16-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Sir Don (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Mister Elegant 11-4 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Monashee Brave (9-5) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Midmaar (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on until weakened quickly inside final 2f, last of 12, 12l behind Epidaurian King (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Lost All Alone 15-2 (8-0) Led to well over 3f out, led again over 1f out, ran on under pressure, held on well, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Nov beating Thoughtsofstardom (8-13) by a hd, 11 ran.
Mulberry Lad (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Raced on outer, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway soon weakened, 9th of 11, 13l behind Dawson Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
