behind, ridden well over 2f out, never near leaders
mid-division, ridden and lost place over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off
started very slowly, behind, headway into mid-division over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly from 3f out
in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders
start slowly, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace
started very slowly, headway to lead after 2f, pressed over 1f out, asserted inside final furlong, pushed out
started very slowly, always in rear until plugged on final 2f, never a danger
behind, headway 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
started slowly, in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, nearest finish
led 2f, stayed tracking winner to over 2f out, kept on until weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden well over 1f out, soon no impression, weakened final furlong
always towards rear, weakened from well over 2f out
A wide open handicap rounds off the card and there is very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Sahf London, Schinken Otto and Gifted Heir and the narrow nomination is given to Sahf London. The selection won well last time out when beating Hayley's Flower and although rising in the weights he looks sure to improve for this slightly longer trip and with his yard continuing in good form he looks the one to be on. Schinken Otto rates the main danger as he beat Buscador last time and will appreciate this longer trip. However his best form is at Wolverhampton and he is taken on with this in mind. Gifted Heir remains well-weighted having escaped a penalty for his latest win over Tidy but that was in a seller and he will need to improve to win again now back in handicap company. The booking of Simon Walker for Blue Hedges catches the eye and he should be watched in the market, while Ruffie is in form but is hard to win with. Western Roots could go well at a price if he improves for the fitting of a first-time visor but Sahf London is our idea of the winner.
Western Roots 5-2fav (9-3) Held up, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 9l behind Justcallmehandsome (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Blue Hedges 7-1 (9-5) Behind, headway over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind War of The Roses (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Cavendish 11-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Blue Hedges (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Bienheureux 14-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Mutamaasek (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Ramvaswani (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, went 2nd 4f out, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 9l behind Top Tiger (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct.
Sahf London 5-2fav (8-11) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Hayley's Flower (8-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, kept on inside final furlong to lead last strides, won at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol beating Buscador (11-1) by a hd, 11 ran.
Take A Mile (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden and every chance 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 11l behind Colwyn Bay (9-9) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Gifted Heir (IRE) 3-1fav (8-6) Always prominent, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app sll (6) pol beating Tidy (8-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ndola 15-8fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Key Partners (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Inn For The Dancer 7-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, no headway final 2f, 6th of 14, 7l behind Raydan (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in May.
Ruffie (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, soon went 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Morbick (10-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol.
Ashmolian (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no progress, 8th of 11, 9l behind Fateful Attraction (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) In touch, weakened over 4f out and eased, last of 16, 28l behind Another Con (9-2) at Bath 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) frm in Jun '06.
