close up until lost pace 5f out, soon weakened and well behind over 3f out, tailed off
led, hard pressed over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong
towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, not troubled leaders, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression final 2f
tracked leaders to over 2f out, slightly outpaced, stayed on gamely under pressure final furlong to regain 3rd post
always rear group, struggling over 3f out, tailed off
steadied start, mid-division, went 3rd over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, pressed leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
in touch to over 4f out, soon weakened and struggling over 3f out, tailed off
Probably a good time to jump in the car and beat the traffic here, but if you must play then Prince Of Medina went very close to breaking his handicap duck over c&d last time and can go one better today, with Countback, Squirtle and Gouranga others for the short list. The selection won a 1m 6f Wolverhampton maiden a couple of starts back, and is no good thing after being beaten in all 14 attempts in handicaps so far. However, he clearly appears to have gained somewhat in confidence and with trip and track to his liking we will give him one more chance. Countback races from the same mark as when runner up over this trip on the fibresand at Southwell. Tony Carroll's gelding is a selling plater over hurdles and likes to get his toe in, so conditions here are not ideal. Squirtle has not won in 24 starts since August 2006, and from the same mark as his latest defeat that run looks set to continue, though he might make the frame. Of the others Gouranga is a half-sister to a two mile winner and so returning to this trip now might help her get more closely involved. However, little else makes any appeal and Prince Of Medina gets a tentative vote.
Gouranga 11-1 (8-10) In rear, plugged on final 3f, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 8l behind Summerofsixtynine (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Bright Sparky (GER) 14-1 (8-4) Led, headed over 4f out, remained in touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Karmest (8-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs.
Countback (FR) 9-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Cumbrian Knight (11-2) at Southwell 2m amt hcp (6) fbs.
Prince of Medina 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, every chance and joined leader well inside final furlong, no extra and headed close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Snowberry Hill (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Optimum (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Raced wide in touch, pushed along over 6f out, weakened 4f out, 8th of 13, 31l behind Global Strategy (9-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Lord Nellsson 12-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 5f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 8l behind Zonic Boom (8-13) at W'hampton 2m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Squirtle (IRE) 4-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Young Scotton (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Khadija 125-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and weakened 4f out, 8th of 12, 42l behind Arbella (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Apr '06.
Isa'af (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 24l behind Legend Erry (9-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
The Slider 25-1 (8-12) Held up, wide and headway from 3f out, every chance over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 14, 8l behind Barton Sands (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
Squiffy 25-1 (9-2) Switched left 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 13, 7l behind Highest Esteem (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Led after 2f, headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, last of 9, 24l behind Up In Arms (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
