tracked leaders, progress to challenge over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace closing stages
held up in rear, but in touch, effort over 1f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, every chance entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
led until over 1f out, weakened quickly
always prominent, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well
John Lightbody hasn't raced since 2011 and the betting may give the best clue as to what is expected on his return while Harry Buckle will need to to improve on last month's maiden win if he's to figure. Sheila's Buddy had a tough task in Listed company last time but looks high enough in the weights back in a handicap and Wilfred Pickles arrives way below his best and finished behind Ajeeb and CAYUGA over C&D last time. The latter pair filled the places behind Kaafel and are closely matched today but Brett Johnson's colt has more scope and gets the vote to open his account.
Ajeeb (USA) 7-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway on wide outside over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Kaafel (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Wilfred Pickles (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway when not clear run inside final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 9l behind Kaafel (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Sheila's Buddy 33-1 (9-0) In touch on outside, ridden and lost place inside final 2f, no impression final furlong, 9th of 11, 8l behind True To Form (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Dec.
John Lightbody 4-1 (9-5) Tracked winner early, tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 13l behind Storming Bernard (9-5) at Ayr 1m 2yo nov stk (4) gs in Sep '11.
Harry Buckle 8-15fav (9-3) Led eary, remained in touch, challenged on outside 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec beating Syncopate (9-3) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Cayuga 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, strongly challenged inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Kaafel (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.