tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, no impression 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, faded final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden well over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, staying on when hampered and checked on rail inside final furlong, not recover
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, not troubled leaders, never nearer
always towards rear, struggling over 2f out, never dangerous
in touch, quickened to lead over 1f out, soon clear, wandered inside final furlong, pushed out readily
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to take 3rd near finish
tracked leader to over 5f out, stayed prominent until weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance of winner
steadied start, settled in last, headway from 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
always behind, never on terms
mid-division, ridden and weakened quickly from 2f out
led, shaken up and ridden clear 3f out, no extra when headed over 1f out, weakening when hung right under pressure inside final furlong
An open handicap where a watching brief is advised but if you must play then GOOD EFFECT is a tentative selection to hold off Old Romney and St Petersburg. As ever with a 0-60 handicap there is little consistency among the participants, and the three short-listed runners are as good as any in that regard. Good Effect is 3lb lower than when runner-up over 12f here in October and has reproduced similar running on two subsequent starts. The track clearly suits and he is proferred as the selection. Old Romney has never won beyond 9f but remains on the same mark as when runner-up to Saucy at Lingfield last time. If the selection tries to make this a true test then he might be found wanting for stamina. The same comment applies to St Petersburg, who has not enjoyed the taste of success for well over three years, although he should still make the shake-up. Sir Liam has a good pitch and sees out this trip pretty well, so he's not without a chance and his only win to date came here, while Compton Falcon continues to flatter to deceive and has slipped further down the weights here. The headgear is left off here but you couldn't back him with any confidence. Whodunit was a comfortable 10f Lingfield scorer last time and even with a 6lb penalty he can't be ruled out here but whether he has the ability to reproduce two runs of similar quality we will only find out tonight. We'll take him on with Good Effect.
Old Romney 9-4fav (9-7) Pulled hard, in touch on inner, not much room over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, closed on winner, never able to challenge, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Saucy (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Good Effect (USA) 15-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Risque Heights (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
St Petersburg 11-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Don Pietro (9-8) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Dee Cee Elle 11-2 (8-7) Prominent, pushed along over 5f out, effort over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Make Haste (9-3) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug '07.
Brave Quest (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4f out until weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 15l behind Saucy (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Putra Laju (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Barkass (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Sky Quest (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders final furlong, lost 3rd post, 4th of 12, 2l behind Little Carmela (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Imperium 12-1 (9-2) Steadied start, settled in rear, good headway from 2f out, stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 1l behind Piccolo Diamante (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Always Certain (USA) 11-1 (8-8) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 17l behind Intabih (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Sir Liam (USA) 2-1fav (8-10) Held up, effort over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 5l behind Bailieborough (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Compton Falcon 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, raced keenly, stumbled slightly over 5f out, headway over 2f out, edged left from over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Amazing King (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Sir Haydn 14-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and one pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 9l behind Blockley (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Inquisitress 16-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, not clear run 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Whodunit (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Whodunit (UAE) 11-1 (8-12) Made virtually all, clear over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, hung right near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Marie Tempest (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
