behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
raced in mid-division, driven along over 2f out, never a factor
chased leaders over 3f
chased leader, ran on to lead 1f out, caught final strides
mid-division on inside, not clear run on rails over 2f out, full of running when nowhere to go from 1f out
stumbled after 1f, pulled hard, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led to 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong
A competitive handicap can go the way of Louphole at the main expense of Caustic Wit and Mistral Sky. The selection has been the model of consistency this winter and although he looks weighted up to the hilt, he may be good enough to take this. He will need the gaps to open as he comes from the back but there may still be more to come, especially as his stable is in good form at present. The main danger could be Caustic Wit who was unlucky to finish second over course and distance eight days ago. However, we will take him on as this is a better race and he isn't always the most reliable. Mistral Sky put in a good performance to beat Don Pele on his penultimate start, however a disappointing run since tempers enthusiasm about him. The two course and distance winners Mina and Seneschal both warrant respect, however the latter may just need this run after 172 days off the track, whilst Mina has a habit of putting in the odd poor run so cannot be truly fancied. Ultimately then, we will give our tentative vote to Peter Makin's Louphole.
Romany Nights (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 8l behind Munaddam (9-6) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sept.
Louphole 10-3 (9-2) Dwelt, held up, headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Lethal (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Loyal Tycoon (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never reached challenging position, 7th of 13, 10l behind Hamaasy (8-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Ever Cheerful 10-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Ochre Bay (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Sarah's Art (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leader to over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 9, 18l behind Lethal (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Mistral Sky 8-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, slightly hampered over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Sun Catcher (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Seneschal 7-1 (9-9) Behind, ridden 2f out, no headway and one pace from over 1f out, 9th of 12, 3l behind Portmeirion (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Bobby Rose 4-1 (9-1) Started slowly, tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 11, 6l behind Hollow Jo (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Mina 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 10l behind La Colline (8-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Muscari 10-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Hollow Jo (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Caustic Wit (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Prominent, driven and stayed on to press winner final 100 yeards, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Beneking (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Desert Light (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Behind, ran on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 3l behind Beneking (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
