made all, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly
held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, hung left on turn before halfway, soon weakened
slowly into stride, chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, faded close home
chased leaders, headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no extra closing stages
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish
ROYAL BAJAN was strongly supported last time to follow up a convincing Lingfield success but was never able to establish any sort of rhythm after missing the break. He really impressed when scoring previously and is well worth another chance here to confirm that good impression. Eric Wheeler has always been a dab hand with his sprinters and Clifford's Reprieve has looked an improved sort since dropped to the minimum trip. He ran as well as ever when just over a length third to Jimmy Ryan at Lingfield last time and seems sure to go well again off the bottom perch of this handicap. Black Baccara can never be eliminated from calculations in this sort of contest but the mare has been hoisted to a mark of 70 recently and has it to do at the weights conceding poundage all round. Griffin Point and Liberal Lady add further spice to a tricky handicap.
Royal Bajan (USA) 11-8fav (9-10) Towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 7th of 9, 6l behind Jimmy Ryan (8-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Mandy's Hero 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 8l behind Desert Strike (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Griffin Point (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Royal Bajan (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Grudge 33-1 (8-7) Dwelt, soon with leader, led after 1f until 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 9l behind Upper Lambourn (8-9) at Southwell 5f app clm stks 0-70 (6) fbs.
Decider (USA) 16-1 (9-4) Soon slight lead, ridden and pressed over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Jimmy Ryan (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Liberal Lady 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Jimmy Ryan (8-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Cliffords Reprieve 4-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway 2f out, behind leaders and looking for room over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, one pace closing stages, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Jimmy Ryan (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Black Baccara 15-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon every chance, faded closing stages, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Desert Strike (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.