raced wide, took keen hold, held up behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders entering final furlong, not quicken final 100 yards
led narrowly to over 4f out, stayed tracking leader to 2f out, soon weakened
started slowly, held up in rear, not clear run on rail well over 1f out, ran on when clear final furlong, took 3rd post, unlucky
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, quickened to lead well inside final furlong, led final strides
started slowly, took keen hold towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, hard pressed well inside final furlong, headed final strides
with leader, led over 4f out, headed inside final furlong, soon one pace
raced keenly, close up, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
One of the most competitive races of the day without question and Atlantic Story can see off Capable Guest and Dream Lodge. Mick Easterby's imposing sort put up a rare blip at Lingfield but it could be that the race wasnt run to suit and now that he is switched back to eight furlongs, he can show the form that saw him win five races during the last calendar year. Capable Guest is a rare runner for the Mick Channon outfit. He has ability but has made looking unlucky in running into something of an art form. Dream Lodge is something of a wild card as he could literally be anything. The market should tell its own tale. Tender The Great has been a credit to connections and might just be in the grip of the handicapper. Alfresco often travels like a winner but does not always find a great deal when taken off the bridle. Plenty of chances on paper but we reckon Atlantic Story is best equipped to put it altogether on the track.
Atlantic Story (USA) 7-2 (9-4) Tracked winner, effort 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 5, 2l behind Mafeking (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Dream Lodge (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Led 1f, pressed leader after, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Russki (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Alfresco 5-2jt-fav (9-2) Held up, headway over 5f out, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Will He Wish (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Capable Guest (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ran in snatches, driven and stayed on towards finish, 5th of 12, 2l behind Military Cross (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Gallantry 7-2fav (9-8) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 3l behind Master Pegasus (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Markab 66-1 (8-6) Led to over 3f out, tracked leader afterwards, every chance over 1f out, weakened quickly inisde final furlong, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Fajr (9-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Tender The Great (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 5l behind Atlantic Story (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
