held up, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and lost 2 places close home
steadied start, took keen hold, settled in rear, good headway on outside over 2f out, ran on well to lead final 50 yards
awkward leaving stalls, soon chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened over 1f out
chased leader, quickened to lead over 1f out, kept on well until headed final 50 yards
mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not paced to challenge inside final furlong, kept on to take 3rd final stride
led and set good pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
Six furlongs at Kempton suits DISTINCTLY GAME very well and Kevin Ryan's gelding can live up to his name here, while Resplendent Alpha is among the dangers in a competitive contest. The selection comes here in cracking form, having won at Lingfield and then gone close back at that venue last time. He has already won twice over course and distance and both were from higher marks, so he has to have every chance here. Resplendent Alpha carries a 6lbs penalty for a narrow margin Lingfield win and while he might be able to find some improvement it is doubtful that he will be able to muster up enough. Mogok Ruby should, in any case, be able to turn the tables on Paul Howling's runner at today's weights, and as one who goes well at this circuit, he can get closely involved. Princess Valerina found nothing last time from this same mark and looked as though the handicapper had her measure, while Ravi River struggles to find that extra required at the business end and keeps finding at least one too good. The same fate may befall him at these weights, and Distinctly Game is taken to score.
Resplendent Alpha 13-2 (9-4) Close up 4th, ridden to challenge 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, ran on well towards finish, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Forest Dane (8-11) by a nk, 5 ran.
Mogok Ruby 4-1 (9-4) Awkward lead in stalls and slowly into stride, held up last, headway on inside over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, took 3rd and gaining close home, 3rd of 5, nk behind Resplendent Alpha (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Princess Valerina 11-8fav (9-1) Raced keenly, chased leader 5f out, every chance over 1f out, beaten and hanging left entering final furlong, 4th of 5, 4l behind Mrs Penny (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Distinctly Game 11-8fav (9-3) Raced keenly, tracked leader, ridden to dispute lead and every chance over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 5, 1 1/2l behind Resplendent Alpha (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, effort over 1f out, pushed along and kept on final furlong, never reached challenging position, 9th of 13, 4l behind Countdown (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Musical Script (USA) 11-2 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up, switched left inside final furlong, no progress, soon eased, last of 9, 4l behind Sir Nod (8-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Silver Prelude 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, under pressure well over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Wotashirtfull (8-11) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Ravi River (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Always prominent, raced keenly, led just inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) std beating Guildenstern (8-8) by 1l, 8 ran.
