tracked winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish and lost 2 places
steadied start, held up in rear, when 4th halfway, stayed on inside final furlong to take 3rd near finish
steadied start, settled in rear, struggling from over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
prominent to halfway, soon lost place, behind over 2f out
chased leaders, stayed on from over 1f out, took 2nd well inside final furlong, gaining near finish
made all, led and set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, soon edged left, ran on, held on well near finish
Grand Assault won his maiden last time out and is probably just about good enough to land this handicap from the exposed maiden winner Crimson Fern, while Reigning Monarch looks best of the rest. Grand Assault took a 6f Wolverhampton maiden and has previously gone well over 7f at Lingfield, so at least he showed she is capable of holding some form. A 4lb rise for the maiden win is fair enough and at this trip we will side with him to follow up. Crimson Fern won a 7f Wolverhampton maiden a couple of starts back and was turned over here last time at today's trip from this same mark. This is not a hot race so he looks capable of making the frame and would not be a shock winner. Reigning Monarch looks the pick of the remainder and went well here despite being relegated by the stewards last time. From the same mark he can again be very competitive and it does look to be between these three, with Grand Assault being taken to just shade it.
Crimson Fern (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, chased leaders and effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 11, 3l behind Littledodayno (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Grand Assault 5-4fav (9-3) Held up, not clear run 3f out, headway and hung left 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged right, driven out, won at W'hampton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec beating Belinda Rose (8-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Just Spike 66-1 (8-13) Towards rear, effort on outside over 1f out, no further impression, 9th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Figaro Flyer (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Kazakstan 100-1 (8-7) In touch on outer, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon in rear, 11th of 12, 14l behind Benllech (8-6) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Kissi Kissi 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 4l behind Ask Jenny (9-0) at Kempton 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Regal Royale 5-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 11, 11l behind Dawson Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Led, edged right and headed over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, shd behind Muktasb (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol. Later dsq to 3rd.
