chased leader, left in lead well over 7f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
blindfold still on as stalls opened, went left at start, left many lenghts behind, latched on to rear of rest 8f out, ridden and struggling over 2f out
held up towards rear, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, strongly pressed and driven out
led until cocked jaw, hung left and ran out well over 7f out
prominent, left chasing leader well over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, lost 2 places close home
held up towards rear, not clear run and hanging right well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home
towards rear, headway under pressure well over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 8f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, raced keenly, ridden and every chance from over 1f out until inside final furlong, faded
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
MIDNIGHT BAY is in better form than most and he is preferred to Lytham and Crimson Flame. David Evans quickly turns out this gelding after a good second to Barodine at Wolverhampton. The race panned out perfectly for the winner there but there is nothing of his quality in this race and a bold bid is expected. The drop in trip will suit Corrib, Jiggalong looks extremely well-handicapped, whilst Inquisitress is a course winner and her recent form reads ok in the context of this race. Sean Curran has a strong hand with Crimson Flame and Global Quest; the former looks more interesting after some good recent efforts and Robert Winston keeps the ride. Andaman Sunset needs a market check off this lowly mark for John Spearing, whilst Dobravany continues to threaten to win without actually doing so. Midnight Bay is preferred.
Crimson Flame (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Held up in mid-division, not much room, squeezed through 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2l behind Playful Asset (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Hatch A Plan (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 12, 16l behind Litenup (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Jan.
Lytham (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Towards rear, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 12, 10l behind Barodine (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Gospel Spirit 100-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, led until 4f out, chased winner until over 2f out, weakened quickly, 8th of 9, 22l behind Cairnsmore (9-11) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Lyrical Intent (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Dobravany (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) In rear, ridden 3f out, ran on final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Kirstys Lad (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Global Guest 11-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, struggling on outside over 2f out, 9th of 13, 7l behind Prince Valentine (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Inquisitress 16-1 (8-12) In rear, headway over 1f out, not troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 6l behind Hi Spec (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Shropshirelass 16-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden 4f out, one pace final 2f, 7th of 16, 9l behind Hallings Overture (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Aug '08.
Jiggalong 16-1 (8-11) Always behind, 10th of 13, 7l behind Turkish Sultan (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Midnight Bay 16-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, led approaching 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Barodine (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Desert Fairy 14-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway entering final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 9l behind Grey Command (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Corrib (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 12, 24l behind Dazzling Begum (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Andaman Sunset 13-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
