in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden to chase clear leader 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
always towards rear
led, clear over 4f out, ridden 2f out, headed towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to have every chance towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
raced in final pair, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on toward finish
always towards rear
tracked leaders, weakened quickly approaching 3f out
raced in final pair, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish
A couple arrive on the back of recent wins and Valdan can confirm running with El Libertador and Lucas Pitt after scoring over C&D recently. However, SOVENTO also returned to winning ways when successful over a shorter trip at Lingfield on Monday. He has a 6lb penalty to carry here, but won over track and trip off a higher mark last year and the Irish raider can follow-up. Laconicos was beaten by the narrowest of margins here three weeks ago and should be thereabouts again, as should It's Dubai Dolly, who finished third at this track in October.
El Libertador (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, switched inside and headway inside final 2f, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with leading pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Valdan (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Valdan (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Soon mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, led well inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Sail Home (9-7) by 1l, 11 ran.
Robby Bobby 20-1 (9-11) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, last of 8, 24l behind The Absent Mare (8-12) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Whodunit (UAE) 18-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 8l behind Signora Frasi (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Croix Rouge (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Led narrowly 3f, pressed leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 9l behind Rose Aurora (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Lucas Pitt 5-1 (8-12) Mid-division on inside, lost place and ridden over 2f out, soon behind, last of 11, 34l behind Valdan (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Sovento (GER) 15-8fav (9-3) In rear, headway approaching 2f out, switched right 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol beating Avon Supreme (9-0) by nk, 13 ran.
It's Dubai Dolly 13-2 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Summer Glow (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Time To Play 7-1 (9-2) Prominent, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Queenie's Star (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Now 14-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 13l behind Rose Aurora (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Laura Land 7-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 10, 8l behind Wrecking Crew (10-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol in May.
Jamarjo (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 16l behind Reason To Believe (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sep.
Laconicos (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Prominent, headway on inner over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on and just held close home, 2nd of 13, ns behind Baan (10-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f amat hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Dzesmin (POL) 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, switched right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 8l behind Damascus Symphony (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.