held up in rear, headway and not the clearest of runs from over 1f out, no impression on front pair towards finish
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led until ridden and headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
last to break, held up and took keen hold, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, no impression inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led just over 1f out, soon strongly pressed, held on
held up, took good hold, headway 5f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, chased winner final furlong, soon strong challenge, ran on
A competitive heat here where MY BEST BET is taken to follow-up her Lingfield success from a 5lbs higher mark, while Dance And Dance and Bawaardi look the strongest opponents. The selection is proven on this surface, as a previous course winner, and over this trip, and looked very much one to keep on the right side of when winning going away at Lingfield last month. As a consistent performer she can probably be relied upon to produce a similar effort and she will do for us. Dance And Dance has a similar profile, with a course win to his name and he is also likely to produce his running. He was tried over this trip last time, and while he went well enough, he does have to fully prove himself over a mile so we'll just oppose. Lightly-raced Bawaardi receives weight from all but one of his opponents and landed a turf maiden at Lingfield in September. He went close over 1m 1f at Wolverhampton last time and this drop back in trip should be no problem, so we expect him to be thereabouts. Life's Challenge was too bad to be true at Southwell in October, but he won on debut and so this break should not hinder him and he looks like being competitive from this mark. Mustakmil won a Lingfield maiden last time but has been beaten in handicaps from lower marks in the past, while Alsahil makes his handicap bow after a Brighton maiden success and will find this tougher. Bennelong is weighted to get the better of Red Suede Shoes on their running here last month, now he has a 5lb pull, and both can make their presence felt, though preference is for My Best Bet.
My Best Bet 15-2 (8-13) Held up but not far away, headway and switched right over 1f out, pressed leader entering final furlong, ridden to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Nora Mae (8-13) by 1l, 7 ran.
Life's Challenge (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Towards rear and pushed along, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 28l behind Ultimate (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
Alsahil (USA) 7-4 (9-3) Made all, shaken up and in command over 1f out, ridden out final furlong, ran on well, won at Brighton 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr beating Brunston (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bennelong 7-4fav (8-8) Last to break, held up, raced keenly, headway over 4f out, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not able to challenge, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Big Bay (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Red Suede Shoes 10-3 (8-13) Wide, close up, ridden to chase leader 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Mr Willis (9-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Mustakmil (IRE) 13-8 (9-3) Held up in touch, smooth headway 2f out, led 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Peponi (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Take The Micky 20-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, always behind, lost touch final 2f, tailed off, last of 13, 48l behind Love Pegasus (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Bawaardi (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, edged left, stayed on well, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind African Cheetah (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Dance And Dance (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Awkward start, keen, held up, headway approaching 2f out, ridden and stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Mr Willis (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Spiritual Art 11-4fav (8-12) Tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind My Best Bet (8-13) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol in Nov.
