tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on under pressure to challenge inside final furlong, led near finish
took keen hold, always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed near finish
mid-division, headway over 2f out, wanting to hang right, ran on towards finish
always behind
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, never in contention
always behind
help up towards rear, headway when not clear run well over 1f out, never troubled leaders
led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Undoubtedly the highlight on the card and one where DOHASA will take some beating, while Dunelight and Aeroplane are among those who should make it a tough contest. Ger Lyons has saddled the selection to win back-to-back races over 7f at Dundalk and the Curragh, before he was just held in Group 3 company at Tipperary last time. He has had a couple of months break since then, but he has no problem when fresh, and his form looks very solid coming into this where he looks the one to beat. Aeroplane has landed claimers over this trip on his last two starts, but it is a long time since he ran well in anything other than lower grades and his mark of 100 may just be a touch flattering. Dunelight made the frame behind Paco Boy in the Group 2 Betfair Cup at Glorious Goodwood in July but was badly out of sorts over a mile here in Listed company on his only try on the surface to date. That may have been just a pipe opener for this, however, and he is well worth his mark of 109 on previous form, so we give him due respect. Ceremonial Jade has course and distance winning form but has not seen much racecourse action this calendar year, winning a Listed race at Wolverhampton in March and then not seen between May and a pipe-opener last month. She has 6lbs to find at these weights but as a Polytrack specialist is hugely respected. Sir Gerry looks capable of making the frame at best, and he will probably need improvement to do that, and a better proposition looks to be Capricorn Run, who has scored around here and is a battle-hardened handicapper, but the one with a touch of class is Dohasa, and he is selected.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 9-1 (9-4) Raced wide, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, 10th of 12, 9l behind Jaconet (8-11) at Lingfield 6f listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Aeroplane 1-5fav (9-6) Patiently ridden in rear, smooth headway to 4th approaching 2f out, led on bit inside final furlong, very easily, won at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in Nov beating Monashee Rock (8-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Capricorn Run (USA) 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to press leader 2f out, soon every chance, driven and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2l behind Global City (8-12) at Lingfield 6f stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Nov.
Dohasa (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, under pressure in moderate 3rd over 1f out, 2nd and kept on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Duff (9-8) at Tipperary 7f Grp 3 gf in Oct.
Dunelight (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 13l behind Without A Prayer (9-4) at Kempton 1m listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Himalya (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Jaconet (8-11) at Lingfield 6f listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Know No Fear 25-1 (8-7) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 13, 8l behind Copperwood (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Sir Gerry (USA) 10-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Jaconet (8-11) at Lingfield 6f listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Stargazy 16-1 (9-0) Held up and keen, weakened over 2f out, last of 14, 37l behind Topcroft (8-10) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Black Dahlia 14-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, good headway over 1f out, led final furlong, ran on strongly inside final furlong, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov beating King's Colour (9-11) by 6l, 10 ran.
Carcinetto (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Falcativ (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Vanadium 7-2fav (9-1) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden 3f out, driven and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 14l behind Star Strider (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
