held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven and stayed on well inside final furlong to lead final 100 yards
in touch, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
chased leader, driven over 2f out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, no impression when not much room over 1f out, soon weakened
keen early, held up mid-division on inside, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, headway on outside 3f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up, always behind
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra final 100 yards
always behind, lost touch over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
behind until driven and stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish
FRANCO IS MY NAME still has more to give and he is preferred to Best In Class, Chalice Welcome and Whodunit. The latter is well-named given the plotline of Eastenders last week and this fellow was impressive when making all in a Lingfield seller last week. He beat some higher-rated rivals then and it is no surprise to see him turned out quickly under a penalty, although one has to feel that he was flattered by that win. Instead then we side with Franco Is My Name who has done well for his new yard. He won tidily at Lingfield last week and this course winner still looks to have more to offer under a 6lb penalty. Best In Class may still need some help from the handicapper after two poor runs but the yard are not easy to predict and he may still have more to offer, Chalice Welcome has been in scintillating form is considered, whilst Mr Hichens is a course winner who looks potentially well-handicapped. Rapid City continues to run well (in defeat), Cold Turkey needs a market check but Zero Cool looks the pick of the stable's trio, whilst Eddie Ahern looks an interesting jockey booking for the unexposed Murhee. An interesting opener, where My Name Is Franco can complete the four-timer.
Franco Is My Name 15-8fav (9-5) Held up, in rear, not clearest of runs well over 1f out, switched right to ouside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led final 150 yards, won going away, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol beating Granny Mcphee (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Best In Class 14-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and well beaten well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 17l behind King Olav (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Chalice Welcome 7-2fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway and in touch halfway, ridden to lead 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Accompanist (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Cry Alot Boy 16-1 (8-10) Slowly away, in rear, ridden over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 8l behind King Olav (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Outofoil (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Always behind, 12th of 13, 12l behind Mister Green (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
All About You (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Led, soon clear until over 3f out, headed 1f out, weakened towards finish, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Officer In Command (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Mr Hichens 9-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 10l behind Young Dottie (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Rapid City 5-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, edged left inside final furlong, kept on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Officer In Command (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Cold Turkey 4-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway from 2f out, still plenty to do, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Judgethemoment (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Having A Ball 8-1 (8-12) Held up, in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, took 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Alqaahir (8-7) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Whodunit (UAE) 6-1 (8-10) Made all, clear 3f out, 10 lengths ahead 2f out, ridden out final furlong, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol beating Fong's Alibi (8-7) by 8l, 9 ran.
Murhee (USA) 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, weakened 3f out, last of 17, 45l behind Lord Theo (10-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Zero Cool (USA) 9-4fav (9-1) Tracked clear leader, closed 2f out, soon ridden, led just inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Spruce (9-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Drum Major (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Soon close up in 3rd, pushed along 5f out, weakened and behind final 3f, tailed off, 6th of 7, 27l behind Charging Indian (9-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
