held up in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on, lost 3rd close home
tracked leaders, ridden to lead just over 1f out, ran on, driven out
prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed just over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader, effort well over 1f out, not quicken, weakened 1f out
steadied start, behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not troubled leaders
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on to take 3rd close home
led until headed well over 1f out, weakened rapidly
reared start and slowly away, always in rear, ridden over 3f out, struggling afterwards
A fascinating claimer with Inside Story given the narrow vote ahead of Smokey The Bear and Without Excuse. Inside Story may find today's track a little more to his liking as with Lingfield being a track that favours back runners, he was always going to be a sitting duck last time out. Smokey The Bear invariably runs well here and obliged in a claimer over 1m4f. He will be doing his best work at the finish. Without Excuse represents a very much in form yard although he hasn't looked the easiest of rides, different headgear is tried again. Portland returns from a sizeable absence having won for Barry Hills a couple of years ago. Sweet World and Swift Cut hold no secrets. Boundless Prospect is watched closely in the market. Inside Story is hardly the strongest of recommendations but he has plenty of ticks in the right boxes.
Inside Story (IRE) 7-4 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon driven, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Sawwaah (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Smokey The Bear 2-1 (9-7) Led 1f, tracked leaders after, chased leader 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong to lead final strides, won at Kempton 1m 4f clm (6) pol beating Critical Stage (8-9) by a nk, 5 ran.
Without Excuse (USA) 3-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 2l behind Waterside (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Sweet World 7-1 (8-10) Led, soon clear, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 7l behind Sun of The Sea (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Swift Cut (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Led, driven and headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 7, 6l behind Kensington (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, last of 6, 2 1/2l behind Waterside (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Jan.
Fortune Point (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, not recover, 6th of 10, 12l behind Sahf London (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Portland 40-1 (9-3) With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Warwick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr '06 beating Street Warrior (9-3) by 1/2l, 14 ran.