held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, held on well
led, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
slowly away, in rear, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up mid-division and keen, kept on one pace inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in touch in 5th, ridden over 2f out, kept on towards finish
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
Plenty with claims in this closing event. Diplomatic scored over track and trip in January and went close again here a week ago while Spirit Of Xaar and Warbond could both figure with a repeat of their latest placed efforts over course and distance. Mafi has been in fine form at Lingfield and is closely matched with Honey Of A Kitten, though the latter was engaged to run at Wolverhampton yesterday. Greyfriarchorista may well reverse earlier form with Diplomatic on today's better terms but a chance is taken on CUFFLINK, well beaten over hurdles of late but twice a winner on the Flat at the end of last season and still open to further progress.
Cufflink 4-1 (8-7) Soon tracking leader, led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Salisbury 1m 2f clm stks (5) sft in Oct beating Breaking The Bank (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Brocklebank (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Held up in last trio, last and struggling 2f out, soon switched left to outside, kept on inside final furlong, never a threat, 7th of 11, 9l behind Loyalty (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Oratory (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 11l behind Bold Duke (10-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f am hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Nov.
Greyfriarschorista 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, hung right over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 6th of 11, 3l behind Diplomatic (8-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Scottish Lake 12-1 (9-7) Bumped start, chased leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place and not much room, 10th of 13, 7l behind Russian Ice (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Kindia (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, heald up and always in last pair, never a factor, 9th of 11, 15l behind Loyalty (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Diplomatic (IRE) 13-8 (9-0) Held up in rear and in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Lily Edge (9-7) at Kempton 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Honey Of A Kitten (USA) 9-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Carazam (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Fugitive Motel (IRE) 80-1 (8-6) Taken to post early, pulled hard always in rear, 11th of 13, 13l behind Delft (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in May.
Mafi (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leader early, in touch, headway between horses entering final furlong, ridden to lead final 75 yards, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb beating Cyflymder (8-13) by hd, 7 ran.
Spirit of Xaar (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) In touch, driven to lead narrowly 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on until headed and not pace of winner final 110 yards, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Flamborough Breeze (9-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Warbond 11-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Officer In Command (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
