chased leader, ridden to join to leader 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, effort on outer 2f out, never nearer
held up, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, effort entering final 2f, soon one pace
in touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out
dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven inside final furlong, ran on
led, ridden 2f out, still every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
This is a competitive handicap but Rapid City has been in good form of late and he is taken to get the better of Mighty and Prince Charlemagne. The selection was unlucky two runs ago when he was denied a clear run and he narrowly failed to get up behind Mataram. He made amends last time when beating Kyles Prince and he still appears to be one step ahead of the handicapper. Mighty won his maiden in good style last time and he gave the impression that he would come on for the run. However, that was a weak event and he will need to improve significantly to get the better of our selection today. Prince Charlemagne is in decent form at present but he is steadily rising in the weights and he just might need a little help from the handicapper before he is able to resume winning ways. Solo Flight is a course and distance winner and he loves it round here. He looks the best of the rest, but Rapid City is progressive and is taken to land the spoils.
Daniel Thomas (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 12, 3l behind Happy as Larry (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Solo Flight 6-1 (9-4) Mid-division on outside, ridden 2f out, no impression, 6th of 14, 10l behind Cusoon (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Rapid City 4-7fav (8-10) Close up on outer, challenge 2f out, wide straight, shaken up to lead final 100 yards, cleverly, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan beating Kyles Prince (9-2) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders and one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Eva Soneva So Fast (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Prince Vector 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division, effort 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Stoop To Conquer (9-4) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Mighty 7-4 (9-3) Prominent, chased leader 2f out, led just over 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan beating Augustus John (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bay Boy 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, unable to quicken 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 12, 2l behind Rebellious Spirit (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.