with leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, outpaced final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led just over 1f out, stayed on well, driven out
dwelt, raced keenly towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd post, not reach winner
mid-division, some headway over 2f out on inside, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out
prominent, kept on to chase winner well inside final furlong, not extra, lost 2nd post
led narrowly, headed over 4f out, stayed tracking leader, led again 2f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, no extra and lost 2 places inside final furlong
The well handicapped Takaamul can defy his penalty and overcome his low draw to take this heat, Certifiable and Jomus are the obvious dangers. The selection showed up well in a couple of outings at Lingfield before Christmas and confirmed the promise of those performances when running on well from off the pace to win a course and distance handicap. That race looked to be a shade more competitive than this contest and he scored in a manner that suggested he could win again. Certifiable and Jomus were separated by a neck over course and distance last time and both should give their running again. A penalty makes Certifiable's life harder and he could struggle to confirm the form of that hardfought success. Of the remainder, Postmaster could make the frame but he doesn't win very often and Takaamul is taken to complete a quickfire double.
Takaamul 10-1 (8-9) Mid-division, good headway to lead just over 1f out, quickened and ran on well, driven out, won at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol beating Convallaria (9-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Certifiable 13-2 (8-6) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Jomus (8-12) by a nk, 8 ran.
Postmaster 9-2 (8-11) Behind, switched left over 2f out, went 4th 1f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 4th of 10, 1l behind Golden Square (8-0) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol.
Milton's Keen 8-1 (8-8) Led, ridden over 2f out, faded, 7th of 13, 4l behind Libre (9-4) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gf in Sept.
Jomus 9-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Certifiable (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Trickle (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 8, 6l behind Certifiable (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Shunkawakhan (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Took keen hold in touch, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 8, 23l behind Dado Mush (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Wizby 10-1 (9-0) Settled towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Sion Hill (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Hey Presto 50-1 (8-8) Tracked leader to over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened, 10th of 11, 15l behind dhtrs Noah Jameel (8-9) & Sir Haydn (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
