reminders early, led after 1f, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened towards finish
led 1f, close up, led again over 1f out, soon ridden, headed close home
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened entering final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest at finish
held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden 1f out, stayed on to lead close home
pushed along towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, weakened 2f out
There's hardly anything to choose between the leading protagonists in this handicap and we'll just give the nod to MUKTASB, if he rocks up after a run at Lingfield on Tuesday, with Tamino and Hart Of Gold also very much considered. In a spot of form at the moment the selection went close on what will be his penultimate start when only just collared close home. His usual conditional jockey returns to the plate and will negate any penalty incurred by the run on Tuesday so if fit and well he'll go very close. Tamino has a similar sob story top tell after he was just denied at Wolverhampton on his last start. Paul Howling's gelding is up in the weights by just a pound so should be able to challenge. Hart Of Gold has found some consistency recently and he too was just beaten on his last start and goes up a pound in the handicap. He's an infrequent winner but is more than capable against this opposition. Bolindor is respected after his last time out success but his profile looks a little to erratic to trust while Jessica Wigmo was expected to go better last time and it will be interesting to see if she attracts market support. This race is competitive in the extreme which is why Muktasb is just a percentage call.
Tamino (IRE) 10-3fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never able to challenge, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Diane's Choice (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Spoof Master (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Diane's Choice (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Boldinor 12-1 (9-3) With leader, led over 3f out, ridden final furlong, kept on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Davids Mark (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Grand Palace (IRE) 11-1 (8-8) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 5l behind Hollow Jo (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Jan.
Hart of Gold 11-2 (8-12) Led, 4 lengths clear over 4f out, ridden 2f out, driven and all out when headed final strides, 2nd of 11, nk behind Cwmni (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Muktasb (USA) 7-2 (8-13) Reared start, slowly into stride, soon switched left, in rear, headway on inside when nowhere to go throughout final furlong, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Diane's Choice (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Jessica Wigmo 13-8fav (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 7th of 12, 4l behind Boldinor (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Short Cut 7-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Tallest Peak (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec.
Avoncreek 25-1 (8-1) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 4l behind White Shift (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Clearing Sky (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 14, 10l behind Guildenstern (9-0) at Kempton 7f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Hatman Jack (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Led 1f, chased leader, driven to lead again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Diane's Choice (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
King's Sabre 13-2 (8-13) Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 9l behind Harting Hill (9-3) at Kempton 7f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol.
