held up, headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, held from 3f out
went left start, soon tracking leader, led 2f out, ridden out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
MR WILLIS may have got away lightly and can record his second success with opposition thin on the ground excepting Lexlenos. The selection was the subject of decent support ahead of his handicap bow where he was stepped up in trip. He fluffed the start and never really got back on an even keel but it was a different story next time out when he rewarded those who came back for more in facile fashion. He's 7lbs higher, drawn low and at a different track but he appears to possess the scope required to take this. Lexlenos has made pleasing progress but the form of her latest win took a knock when the runner-up got turned over at odds-on at Great Leighs on Sunday. She is progressive but the handicapper hasn't taken any chances and she could struggle to concede weight to the selection. Our Day Will Come is an exposed maiden, Lucky Fortune and Mrs Slocombe will need to step up on their handicap bows while the 8lb rise that Cut And Thrust received for winning at Lingfield appears a little steep. All in all, there doesn't appear to be any need to look beyond Mr Willis.
Lexlenos (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up mid-division, headway 2f out, led just over 1f out, ridden out and asserted inside final furlong, won at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (6) pol in Dec beating Auld Arty (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mrs Slocombe (IRE) 22-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, edged left under pressure over 1f out, soon held, 6th of 9, 8l behind Dimander (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Cut And Thrust (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) In touch, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Imperial Skylight (9-4) by 3l, 11 ran.
Lucky Fortune (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Prominent 2f, lost place and towards rear, ridden halfway, driven and stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Zim Ho (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Our Day Will Come 3-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Zim Ho (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Mr Willis 11-10fav (9-5) Tracking leaders and always going well, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Song of Praise (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
