led, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always prominent, led 1f out, ran on
slowly into stride, headway on inside over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
behind, some late headway, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace towards finish
steadied start, mid-division, lost place over 2f out
reared start, behind, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon hung left under pressure and not run on
pulled hard in rear, never dangerous
In this wide open handicap it's MUKTASB with our vote but only just ahead of Tilsworth Charlie and What Katie did. The seven-year-old comes here off a slightly reduced mark than he carried when landing a three timer last winter, two of which came at this course. Although unable to hit the heights of that since recent performances suggest he is running into form including his last outing which was a pleasing fifth of fourteen runners and looks primed to score. John Jenkins brings Tilsworth Charlie to this particular party when the mare landed gold last time after stepping down to this level. She won that contest off well under her turf mark and will face the starter here still just below that again. Her last attempt round here finished a disappointing seventh, which is why the vote goes elsewhere. What Katie Did is a course and distance winner but that came back in August 2007 and since scoring twice at Wolverhampton a year ago he has been running consistently if not spectacularly. His last two outings have shown a marked improvement in form and a return to the kind of run which had him challenge in better company at the start of the year will have him close. Last time winner Simpsons Gamble has also got to be considered after landing a similar contest over distance at Lingfield. Kempton provided a win for Roger Teal's charge in January and the gelding does love it around here but could find a few too good this time. Another for the calculations is course and distance winner Norcroft who has also placed four out of the last five outings. He¿s another off a competitive mark and does have claims but Muktasb has the vote.
What Katie Did (IRE) 5-1co-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Connor's Choice (9-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo sll (6) pol in Oct.
Hart of Gold 13-2 (8-6) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 75 yards, 5th of 13, 1l behind Stand In Flames (8-7) at Windsor 6f clm (6) gf in Oct.
Muktasb (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 14, 5l behind Billy Red (8-10) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Tilsworth Charlie 8-1 (8-12) Prominent on outside, ridden to lead just over 1f out, ran on well, pushed out, won at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Palais Polaire (9-1) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Norcroft 7-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, hard driven and stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Billy Red (8-10) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Simpsons Gamble (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Close up, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Apr beating Espartano (8-13) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Nautical 40-1 (7-12) Taken to post early, hampered start, always in rear, 12th of 14, 7l behind Guto (7-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Meridian Line (IRE) 5-1co-fav (9-0) Towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Connor's Choice (9-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo sll (6) pol in Oct.
Night Premiere (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Raced stands' side, prominent, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 15l behind La Famiglia (9-0) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Grizedale (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 14l behind Billy Red (8-10) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Eleanor Eloise (USA) 9-1 (9-1) In rear, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 16, 7l behind Kyllachy Storm (8-10) at Bath 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Piccolo Diamante (USA) 11-4fav (9-0) Always in rear, never in contention, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Kindallachan (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol.
