soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly away, always behind
soon taken back and well in rear, closed 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, picked up well and switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
led early, soon taken back into mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2 out, soon ridden, weakened inisde final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, not pace of winner
tracked leader until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway and switched right well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
The mark of Lisahane Bog looks a shade too high at present with similar comments also applicable to Poor Prince despite the assessor dropping his mark a further 4lb. Lean Machine is starting to look exposed still a maiden from twelve starts but Profligate who is also without a win from seven starts appeared to enjoy a switch to the Polytrack here last time. She is taken to go close again but preference is for ROUND WON. There is a concern that this trip is a bare minimum but if he is given a more prominent ride and lead from the front then he can take advantage with greater stamina. Likely dangers include Loyaliste making a first handicap start for Richard Hannon and Salisbury maiden winner Valencha, but Norman Orpen who has finished runner-up three times in four starts could be the biggest threat. He enters a handicap contest for the first time and the trainer has a 21% strike-rate here in recent seasons.
Round Won (USA) 5-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, not pace to trouble leading duo, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Mejd (9-0) at Bath 1m 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Lisahane Bog 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear most of way, 8th of 10, 6l behind Mustakmil (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Norman Orpen (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Dwelt, keen in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong headed final 75 yards, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Personified (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Sep.
Valencha 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Hellbender (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Poor Prince 11-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader until 6f out, tracked leaders after, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 5l behind Aerodynamic (9-7) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Loyaliste (FR) 7-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden 4f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Penangdouble O One (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Oct.
Profligate (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on, same pace, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Devil You Know (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Lean Machine 10-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, reminder over 3f out, soon bumped, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Star Links (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.