held up in rear, plenty to do 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, nearest finish
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on under pressure, lost 2nd inside final furlong and 3rd final strides
held up, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
always towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon struggling
raced keenly, held up towards rear, some late headway from over 1f out, never nearer
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, chased leader over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and quickened clear over 1f out, pushed out, very easily
in touch 2f, soon ridden along, behind halfway, never dangerous
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
prominent, kept on from over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd final strides
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
Nonrunner
Another uninspiring contest concludes proceedings and we will tentatively suggest JUST JIMMY to have the edge over Too Grand. The selection did not really stay a mile when previously tried over it as a juvenile in 2007, and David Evans has resisted the temptation to return to the trip until today. One win from 20 starts is hardly Horse Of The Year material, but the gelding is in decent form again now and his pedigree suggests that this trip should be suitable, so we will side with him. Too Grand won here over 7f last time and tries to repeat the dose under a 6lb penalty. While not impossible in such a poor race, she is in this grade due to her inconsistency and her previous form off similar marks does not inspire confidence in backing up. Waterloo Dock is on the same mark here as when within three lengths of the winner on a 7f maiden here last time and has gone close from higher marks than this in a couple of previous handicaps, so there is hope for him. Glamoroso and Amwell House have not shown enough for us to want to get financially involved, while Halsion Challenge is slowly progressing but not quick enough to interest us here. Highly Regal is blinkered for the first-time and they will need to have a big effect if he is to win, and in a poor advert for the sport Just Jimmy gets the vote.
Too Grand 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Balerno (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Waterloo Dock 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leader to 4f out, stayed prominent, went 3rd over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Langham House (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Just Jimmy (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2l behind Perlachy (8-12) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Buck Cannon (IRE) 13-2 (8-5) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened 3f out, 9th of 13, 7l behind Sagunt (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Lady Charlemagne 33-1 (8-11) Bumped start, took keen hold in rear, no headway final 2f, 7th of 11, 7l behind Charming Escort (9-2) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Frosty's Gift 12-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, headway from 2f out, kept on, never near leaders, 8th of 14, 9l behind Double Valentine (8-11) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Highly Regal (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 13, 12l behind Rapid City (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Caught In Paradise (IRE) 28-1 (8-7) Towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 11, 32l behind Banquet (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Amwell House 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 4th of 7, 15l behind Eseej (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Glamoroso (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden to lead again over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Chalice Welcome (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
Actress Annie 20-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, behind, hung badly right before halfway, soon unridable and virtually pulled up, last of 9, well behind Greek Theatre (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Alloro 50-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced, last of 5, 43l behind Great Charm (8-13) at Southwell 7f mdn aut stk (6) fbs in Apr.
Gun For Sale (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Chased winner over 7f out until short of room over 2f out, hung left, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 15l behind Whodunit (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Halsion Challenge 16-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, driven over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Wooden King (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
