mid-division, ridden to chase leaders, 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on one pace
raced keenly, mid-division, not clear run on inner over 2f out, to over 1f out, ran on strongly when clear final furlong, closed on winner towards finish, unlucky
made all, led, ridden clear over 1f out, driven out
in touch, effort 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd well inside final furlong
towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly in to stride, held up in rear, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, never nearer
started very slowly, well in rear, headway over 3f out and in touch, soon hard ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders on outer, to over 3f out, lost place quickly well over 2f out and in rear
tracked winner to over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
broke well, hampered and checked on rail soon after start, towards rear, no chance over 2f out and soon in rear
This is a competitive handicap and the vote goes to Machinate, with Wrighty Almighty and Dushstorm the others to consider. The selection has been running consistently well over the winter and he notched up another success last time when he got the better of Pauline's Prince at Wolverhampton. He shapes as though there could be more to come and from a good draw he gets our vote. Wrighty Almighty is another who won last time out and he also has a good draw today. He is well-treated on the pick of his turf form and it would be no surprise to see him go close. Dushstorm won a seller at Lingfield last time but he has more on his plate today and he may have to settle for a minor role from a difficult draw. Of the others, Magic Warrior is on a handy mark but he is probably better over further and we will stick with Machinate as the one to beat.
Dushstorm (IRE) 10-3 (8-9) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, edged left under pressure, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol beating Northern Desert (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Wrighty Almighty (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Quantum Leap (8-11) by a shd, 12 ran.
Seneschal 7-4jt-fav (8-8) Held up in rear, effort halfway, no impression, last of 4, 13l behind Flores Sea (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
Machinate (USA) 5-2fav (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, all out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Pauline's Prince (9-6) by a nk, 9 ran.
Copper King 33-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 10l behind Samuel Charles (9-0) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Oct.
Magic Warrior 6-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Mr Napoleon (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Zabeel House 3-1 (9-4) In touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Montemayorprincess (8-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs.
Binnion Bay (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Dwelt, took keen hold in rear, never dangerous, last of 10, 7l behind Demisemiquaver (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Strike Force 10-1 (8-13) Prominent, went 2nd over 6f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Machinate (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Very Well Red 16-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 9l behind Dado Mush (8-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Cavallo di Ferro (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Soon led and steady pace, headed well over 2f out, gradually weakened, last of 8, 11l behind Little Miss Tara (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Dec.
