held up in rear, still last entering final 2f, headway on outside approaching final furlong, ran on strongly to lead post
prominent, ridden to chase leader 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
broke well, led, ridden over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, caught post
in rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish
held up, mostly in rear
mid-division, ridden 2f out, ran on well, inside final furlong
held up in rear, switched inside, an effort approaching final furlong, kept on
chased leader 3f
raced wide, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Areyoutalkingtome, Qadar and Maltese Falcon are the three to look at here and Areyoutalkingtome is taken to score off top weight. Qadar has won two of his last four races but has gone up the handicap as a consequence, and he was only second at Southwell on Tuesday when holding a winning chance at the weights. Twice a winner over the course and distance in december, Maltese Falcon was just touched off last time and is still well handicapped. he looks a serious danger. Areyoutalkingtome has won on his last five visits to this track, with his only defeat recently coming at Wolverhampton over three furlongs further. He has won with authority and Areyoutalkingtome can score again.
Areyoutalkingtome 5-4fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, pushed out, won at Lingfield 6f stk (2) pol in Jan beating Red Cape (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Qadar (IRE) 13-8 (9-5) In touch, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Waterside (9-5) at Southwell 6f stk (2) fbs in Jan.
Maltese Falcon 11-2 (8-13) Led, joined well inside final furlong, no extra and headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Qadar (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
One More Round (USA) 20-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, not clear run briefly over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, short of room near finish, 4th of 9, 2l behind Areyoutalkingtome (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Maxim's (ARG) 40-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 9th of 10, 4l behind Green Manalishi (9-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Jul.
Ajigolo 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, tracked leader over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Qadar (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Classic Encounter (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway when not clear run from over 1f out, quickened well inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Harry Up (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
First Order 4-1 (8-9) In touch, keen, headway to join leaders 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 8, 4l behind Qadar (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Moorhouse Lad 7-2 (8-5) Made all, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan beating Pieter Brueghel (8-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Harry Up 5-1 (9-1) Made virtually all, ridden and edged right final furlong, just held on, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Dig Deep (8-11) by a nk, 12 ran.