in touch, driven to lead inside final furlong, all out
always towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no progress and weakened over 1f out
steadied start, in rear, under pressure 5f out, tailed off final 2f
took keen hold, led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders
steadied start, settled in rear, headway on outer 2f out, soon ridden and no impression over 1f out
tracked leader, led briefly entering final furlong, soon headed, kept on until lost second final strides
prominent, outpaced over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, not reach leaders
in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance, stayed on to snatch 2nd close home
slowly into stride, mid-division, chased leaders 3f out, no impression from well over 1f out
took keen hold behind, ridden over 4f out and weakened from 2f out
Siena Star belied odds of 25/1 when landing a Lingfield handicap last time and warrants respect off just a 2lb higher mark today but there was a tight finish to that contest and the form may not amount to a great deal so he looks worth taking on with preference for Oakley Absolute, who gets the vote ahead of First Friend. The selection lacks a previous run this term but Richard Hannon is more than capable of producing one to win after an absence and, on the balance of his form, he looks worth chancing. King's Ransom has claims on the pick of his form but has disappointed in two recent starts so looks best watched, while recent hurdles winner Charmatic looks better suited to the winter game. Street Life is capable of taking a hand but may need some help from the handicapper and of more interest may be First Friend, who ran better in a claimer last time. This is not a race that should take a great deal of winning and a tentative vote goes to Oakley Absolute.
Charmatic (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Press Express (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct '05.
Oakley Absolute 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 6l behind Khun John (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Siena Star (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Pulled hard, mid-division, headway from well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb beating Blu Manruna (8-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
King's Ransom 12-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner 2f out until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Shape Up (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Street Life (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Held up and switched left soon after start, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Scamperdale (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Hawk Arrow (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Held up in rear, headway on outer approaching 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, nk behind Topiary Ted (10-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) pol in Mar.
First Friend (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Led at steady gallop, quickened pace when over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Zalkani (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Mar.
Duelling Banjos 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, disputed lead inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Bank On Benny (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
