led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, weakened final furlong
reared start, slowly into stride, headway halfway, chased leader well over 1f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, soon outpaced by winner
chased leader, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra
slowly away, always behind
chased leading pair for 6f
raced wide, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, headway to track leaders over 3f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, soon in command
held up in rear, headway and switch right approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
held up, pushed along over 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up, lost place over 4f out
Ali Bruce has had plenty of chances recently and she is taken on in favour of Linda's Colin with Christmas Truce the other for the shortlist. The selection ran well over a longer trip last time when caught close home by Competitor. He will be suited by the drop back to a mile and he looks to have leading claims. Christmas Truce finished behind our selection last time and he is another that should be suited by the drop in trip, but there is no reason why he should reverse placings with Linda's Colin this afternoon. Ali Bruce was a little disappointing in a seller at Southwell when chasing home Just James last time and he had also failed to show his true running previously. There is no doubt that he has the ability to win this but he seems to have gone off the boil and we will take him on. Voice Mail ran well in defeat last time and is another to consider, but Linda's Colin looks to have been found a good opportunity and gets the vote.
Shrine Mountain (USA) 15-2 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Bessemer (9-4) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Ali Bruce 4-1 (8-12) In touch, led over 4f out, driven and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Just James (8-12) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Ask No More 25-1 (8-11) Raced towards rear on outside, effort and ridden over 2f out, driven and beaten over 1f out, 9th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Mountain Pass (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Slowly away, headway over 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Competitor (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Colonel Bilko (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Pulled hard in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Comeintothespace (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Dexileos (IRE) 17-2 (8-6) In touch when hampered 5f out, hampered and lost place well over 3f out, soon behind, virtually pulled up, 9th of 11, well behind Shava (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Linda's Colin (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Competitor (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Voice Mail 12-1 (8-4) Dwelt, keen, held up in rear, headway on inside from 2f out to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Apache Fort (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) std in Jan.
Miss Sudbrook (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Always behind, 12th of 14, 15l behind Oasis Sun (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Shirley Oaks (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Behind, moderate headway, 8th of 14, 8l behind A Teen (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
