held up in touch on inside, driven over 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, soon ridden, went 2nd and kept on final furlong, not pace of winner
led narrowly, headed 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, led narrowly 2f out, soon ridden, drew clear final furlong, ran on, readily
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon lost place, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch on outside, pushed along 4f out, ridden and lost place 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never pace to get on terms
tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, no impression
held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, soon ridden, went 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, no impression
A couple of these are having their first starts since August and both make their handicap debuts. Brandon was beaten only a neck over 6f at Wolverhampton and Toffee Galore had earlier gone close over a mile at Chelmsford. BALLISTIC has the more recent form with a third over today’s trip at Lingfield a fortnight ago and Bob Cowell’s charge gets the nod to finally get his head in front after a frustrating run of placed efforts. French Twist had earlier gone close at Wolverhampton but both the latter and Stay Forever turned in disappointing efforts on their latest outings.
Brandon (FR) 50-1 (9-2) Behind, headway over 1f out, every chance throughout final 75 yards, always just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Pacino (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (5) pol in Aug.
Toffee Galore 3-1 (9-0) Driven forward to press leader 2f, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Divinity (9-6) at Thirsk 1m fll stks (4) gd in Aug.
Ballistic (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Black Medick (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Stay Forever (FR) 9-2 (8-11) Led after 1f, pushed along and headed 2f out, chased winner until entering final furlong, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 7 3/4l behind Robert L'Echelle (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Hua Hin (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Beleaguerment (9-0) at Kempton 6f (5) pol in Dec.
French Twist 9-2 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 5 1/4l behind Lads Order (8-3) at Southwell 6f (5) pol in Nov.
Urban Highway (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) In touch, effort over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 6l behind Absolute Dream (9-2) at Redcar 6f stks (5) sft in Oct.