slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway when not clear run and switched left over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, just held
towards rear, lost place halfway, behind final 3f
in touch, stumbled approaching 2f out, no chance after
held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division on inner, effort over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
raced wide towards rear, carried wide bend inside final 2f, never dangerous after
prominent, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, weakening when not much room final 50 yards
took keen hold in touch, went 2nd 4f out, carried wide bend inside final 2f, weakened
held up towards rear, steady headway from over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, led on inside as leader ran wide of home turn, headed inside final furlong, faded towards finish
soon led, still travelling well when ran wide bend and headed inside final 2f, eased final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to reach leaders
A typically difficult Lingfield handicap and we will take a chance with Admiral Compton, Sir Haydn and African Sahara look to be the main rivals. John Boyle's five-year-old finished an excellent third over course and distance last time, just behind today's rival Sir Haydn. However he looked unlucky as he had no running room for much of the straight and the way he kept on when clear suggests he would have won. They go off the same handicap marks today and so from a better draw, Admiral Compton is expected to reverse the form with that rival. African Sahara is a course and distance winner and looks well capable of going close again off his current mark. Recent winners Libre and Willhego can also be given a chance in a an open race, but with some better luck in running Admiral Compton could take the honours this afternoon
Eastborough (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, soon led, headed just over 2f out, hard ridden, weakened 1f out, 7th of 9, 7l behind Heathyards Pride (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Baboosh (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Always behind, 10th of 11, 12l behind Three Wrens (8-11) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Libre 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ran on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Dec beating Karaoke (9-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Sir Haydn 8-1 (8-6) Took keen hold, tracked leader, disputed lead well over 1f out, led 1f out, ran on well, headed post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Dower House (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
African Sahara (USA) 10-3fav (8-9) Held up, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 11, 5l behind Western Roots (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Harcourt (USA) 16-1 (9-10) Dwelt, recovered to lead after 1f, headed 4f out, weakened rapidly and eased 2f out, 12th of 13, well behind Magic Sting (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2f clm (5) gs in Aug.
Admiral Compton 16-1 (8-4) Towards rear, good headway over 1f out, not clear run, ran on strongly when clear, unlucky, 3rd of 12, nk behind Dower House (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Sonny Parkin 12-1 (8-10) Pulled hard in touch, ridden and not quickened over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 5l behind Glencalvie (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Just Fly 16-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, headway on inside over 1f out, every chance final furlong, not quicken close home, 4th of 12, 1/2l behind Dower House (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Toparudi 7-2fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Parnassian (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Nov.
Zalkani (IRE) 17-2 (8-11) Started slowly, moderate headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 6l behind Glencalvie (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Willhego 8-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec beating Karaoke (9-1) by a nk, 14 ran.
El Chaparral (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged left and kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Desert Leader (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Resonate (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and kept on near finish, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Night Storm (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
