slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never able to challenge
always prominent, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
Kickingthelilly made the most of the drop in class at Lingfield last month when scoring by a neck. All four wins have been over 7f, however, and the revitalised LOWTHER is preferred. He was a ready winner over C&D on his latest start and with plenty in hand compared to his best handicap rating, Lee Carter's charge is taken to defy a 5lb rise. Loyalty has also tumbled down the weights but has shown no signs of improvement for it and Rugosa looks a bigger threat as his latest second over C&D was his first start since August. Ancient Greece and Copperwood look in the handicapper's grip and The Happy Hammer may struggle upped in class.
Kickingthelilly 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Warfare (8-10) by nk, 10 ran.
Lowther 10-11fav (9-5) Slowly away, tracked leaders over 6f out, led over 1f out, ridden and hung right inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Srinagar Girl (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Loyalty 22-1 (8-10) Dwelt always in rear, wide into straight 2f out, last of 7, 7l behind Rakaan (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Rugosa 10-3 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, ran on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Gifted Girl (9-5) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Ancient Greece 5-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on well closing stages, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Mawaakef (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Copperwood 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Kung Hei Fat Choy (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
The Happy Hammer (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in rear, switched left inside final furlong, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 6l behind Light From Mars (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.