mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
mid-division, headway and effort over 1f out, kept on final furlong, took 3rd near finish
prominent on outsider, effort 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, good headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong to close on winner near finish
tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and weakened quickly over 1f out
steadied start, held up behind, raced keenly, never a factor and struggling over 2f out
held up, effort behind leaders over 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
held up behind, some headway on inside 2f out, not reach leaders and weakened over 1f out
held up, chasing leaders when short of room and snatched up approaching 2f out, stayed on when clear final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leader, led inside final 2f, stayed on gamely and held on well towards finish
always in rear and struggling over 2f out
A truly dire race to open proceedings and it is hard to enthuse about any of these but we must give a selection and the token vote goes to ISHIBEE to get the better of Desert Light. The selection is at least in relatively good recent form, not something that can be said about many of these, and she enjoys it here as evidenced by a course and distance success. She has also managed to win a couple of minor handicaps off marks higher than today's and we hope that we can catch her in a good mood. Desert Light represents a yard whose runners are going well enough without winning and that fate may also await this runner. He also managed to win over track and trip last year and has shown signs of form in recent races so he can make the frame. Rosie Cross may be a threat if anywhere near her best. She drops back to 6f here having been tried over further of late and she too has a course win to her name, which is a positive in a race where there are few. Tony Carroll does well in this sphere and he saddles Lady Fas, who remains a maiden after 23 starts and would be a bit of a surprise winner, but she has gone well at the track and has some sort of frame claim. Where's Dids tries the Polytrack for the first time and is open to improvement still after just five starts and if she is straight enough after a six month absence then you wouldn't rule her out, but we will side with Ishibee.
Ames Souer (IRE) 5-1 (8-2) 8th of 9, 13l behind Pixie Dust (10-3) at Ghlin 1m hcp gd in Nov.
Baba Ghanoush 33-1 (9-0) Always rear group, struggling over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 7l behind Whiskey Creek (9-0) at Kempton 6f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Desert Light (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 6l behind What Katie Did (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Flamestone 40-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 17l behind Singleb (9-2) at Leicester 7f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gd in Aug.
Gone'n'dunnett (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Dwelt, in rear, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 7l behind Helping Hand (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Heavenly Encounter 28-1 (8-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, last of 11, 25l behind Many Welcomes (8-7) at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Ignition 40-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 8th of 12, 4l behind Perlachy (8-12) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ishibee (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind What Katie Did (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Lady Fas (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Steadied start, took keen hold, in rear, no impression final 2f, 8th of 12, 5l behind Tarkamara (9-0) at Lingfield 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
Rosie Cross (IRE) 10-1 (8-3) Raced wide in mid-division, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 16l behind Too Grand (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Sherjawy (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Keen hold tracking leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Namu (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Where's Dids 20-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out , weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Rockfield Lodge (9-0) at Leicester 7f 3yo sll (6) gf in Jun.
