A number of out of form types contest this so with stakes to the minimum, THE WEE CHIEF is the pick with Silver Prelude and Chjimes the others to make appeal. Punters will be having to overlook a recent moderate effort over six furlongs but he was a comfortable enough scorer in a maiden at the track and will have the benefit of a fair draw on this occasion. Silver Prelude only has one way of running and that is to blast out and make all. Invariably he has capitulated badly inside the final furlong. Chjimes is something of a Lingfield Park specialist. The fact that there is early pace here should play to the strengths of this noted back runner. Lord Of The Reins beat Lithaam when the pair met at the track on 9 December. Abilty N Delivery brings Irish form to the table and the market needs to be watched closely to see if any Euros have found their way across the Irish Sea. Fromsong and Cape Royal are admirable old boys who seldom run a bad race. Steel City Boy is out of the handicap but has won here previously and does go well for a lady rider. A competitive enough race on paper and with the same likely on the track, we are with the proven course form of The Wee Chief.
Chjimes (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden final furlong, kept on well final 100 yards, not reach leaders, 5th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Excellent Show (9-3) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Norse Warrior (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Awkward start, always in rear, last of 8, 5l behind Excellent Show (9-3) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Lithaam (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead narrowly just inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Fromsong (8-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
The Wee Chief (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Pressed leader, challenged and every chance 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, weakened rapidly, last of 11, 10l behind Absa Lutte (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Highland Harvest 20-1 (8-13) In touch, headway to chase leaders 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 6l behind Arteus (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Ability N Delivery 3-1fav (9-0) Raced wide, tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Edith's Boy (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Bookiesindex Boy 12-1 (8-9) Towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 10, 9l behind Lord Of The Reins (8-11) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Fromsong (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, driven and stayed on to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec beating Lithaam (8-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Silver Prelude 12-1 (8-8) Led, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Lord Of The Reins (8-11) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Cape Royal 22-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Thoughtsofstardom (8-7) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor, 7th of 9, 4l behind Fromsong (8-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Lord of The Reins (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no real headway, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Excellent Show (9-3) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
