held up towards rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, switched left 2f out, ran on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
mid-division on inside, ridden and headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
behind, headway on rails over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
in touch, effort and driven 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, headed inside final furlong, faded
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, awkward on bend 4f out, short lived effort on inside, 2f out
very reluctant to load stalls, chased leader, driven and every chance approaching final furlong, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
Lord Of The Reins is a sprinter on the up and gets the nod over Norcroft and Brandywell Boy. That is not to say old stagers like Willhewiz and Plateau are not capable of figuring prominently and both hold solid each-way claims in a wide open contest. Brandywell Boy has fair record on the All Weather but has struggled to get his head in front for a while now. He looks sure to run his race but is likely to find at least one too strong in the finish. Norcroft wins in his turn and, as he is unpenalised for winning an apprentices' race five days ago, he has to be respected. Still, he also looks vulnerable on these terms and needs to pull something out of the fire. Therefore, we prefer the claims of Lord Of The Reins, who has been a real live-wire at Lingfield so far. This surface ought not to present any problems and, as he stands out as one the may still be ahead of the handicapper, Lord Of The Reins is the fancied option this time around.
Hollow Jo 10-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 11, 8l behind New York Oscar (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Norcroft 9-1 (8-13) Led early, chased leaders, ridden and edged left from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 6f app hcp (5) pol beating Chatshow (8-12) by a nk, 13 ran.
Plateau 15-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Figaro Flyer (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lord of The Reins (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Steadied start, took keen hold, making headway when not clear run briefly over 1f out, ran on final furlong but not reach front pair, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Wolf River (9-5) at Lingfield 6f 3yo app hcp (5) pol in Sept.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 6-1fav (8-12) Held up behind leaders stands side, driven to lead group 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, shd behind Make My Dream (8-11) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Wicked Uncle 40-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, unable to quicken when not much room well inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2l behind Figaro Flyer (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Rosie Cross (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace final 2f, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Stoneacre Boy (8-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Willhewiz 14-1 (9-3) Quickly away, crossed over from wide draw and soon led, made rest, ridden over 1f out, always holding runner-up throughout final furlong, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct beating Macademy Royal (9-1) by a nk, 11 ran.
Rann Na Cille (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway on outer well over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Sandwith (8-5) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Toucantini 12-1 (9-4) Led, headed after 1f, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 10, 9l behind Wadnagin (8-11) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
The Fisio 33-1 (9-1) Prominent, came wide straight, weakened 1f out, 9th of 11, 5l behind Figaro Flyer (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Hucking Hope (IRE) 9-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ran very wide into straight and lost place, no chance when switched left entering final furlong, 8th of 9, 7l behind Wolf River (9-5) at Lingfield 6f 3yo app hcp (5) pol in Sept.
