tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong
pulled hard in rear, ridden and kept on final furlong
led, ridden 2f out headed approaching 1f out, no extra
slowly into stride and squeezed out start, ran wide and headway 2f out, kept on
keen and tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
keen, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, looking for a run from over 1f out, clear run just inside final furlong, ran on towards finish
This is a really tightly-nit seller in which the weights favour Espy, but we'll select OBE GOLD to overcome that one and Titus Gent. The selection did well to get up in a similar affair last time, coming from way off the pace to score at Southwell, and that confirmed the fact that of late he's been in top shape. Conditions are ideal and whilst he's strictly speaking got a bit on his plate here, his recent form counts for plenty. Espy is favoured by the figures as he's the top rated runner and yet receives weight, but whilst the five-year-old has claims his wins have come over the minimum trip and he might be vulnerable. Contrastingly, Titus Gent is closely matched with our pick and seems at his best at six furlongs here so with Chris Catlin's assistance he's sure to attract support along with Equinity who won a poor handicap in fine style last time and could yet be capable of better. Peopleton Brook has a bit to find with the selection on their previous meeting here but is consistent enough for the grade, so he's more likely to give his running that Doctor Hilary who has questions to answer. Romantic Queen has claims at the weights but stall one tends to be difficult to win from at this trip around Lingfield and her form is moderate whilst Spoof Master is another who appears better at five furlongs. This promises to be a very interesting contest, in which the current well-being of Obe Gold is enough to make him the selection.
Obe Gold 11-10fav (9-4) Soon outpaced, ridden and headway from over 1f out, driven to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 6f sell stks (6) fbs in Jan beating Music Box Express (8-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Peopleton Brook 10-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, switched right to wide outside inside final furlong, ran on well towards finish, never nearer, 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Hollow Jo (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Jan.
Titus Gent 20-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 6l behind Sutton Veny (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-90) (5) pol in Jan.
Equinity 7-1 (9-3) Switched right soon after start, held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan beating Commandingpresence (8-5) by 2l, 11 ran.
Espy 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 4l behind Nacho Libre (8-13) at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Spring Bridge (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Towards rear, some headway final furlong, never in contention, 7th of 10, 7l behind Diane's Choice (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Romantic Queen 8-1 (9-4) Always in rear, last of 10, 10l behind Divine Force (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Spoof Master (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 7, 7l behind Interchoice Star (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol in Jan.
Doctor Hilary 40-1 (9-4) Wide, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not troubled leaders, 6th of 12, 6l behind Bishopbriggs (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
