led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden to lead entering final 2f, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up, headway on inside from over 1f out, ridden and stayed on near finish
pulled hard, mid-division, headway from well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong
soon pushed along, headway on outer to chase leaders over 6f out, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, wide edged left and headway approaching 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up well in rear, ridden and headway on wide outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
always in rear, never nearer
in touch over 7f
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, raced wide, ridden 4f out, short of room 2f out, not a danger after
in touch, ridden well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to challenge winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
slowly into stride, raced wide, always in rear
Monets Masterpiece gets the nod over the penalised Competitor and Play Up Pompey, while Hallings Overture is also worthy of consideration if the vibes are positive. The last named has found his feet of late and, as his yard know the time of day, he has to be monitored closely in the betting. Play Up Pompey is also in good heart and gets on very well with Amir Quinn. His task at the weights looks a difficult challenge, though, and he needs to be at his very best. Competitor comfortably brushed aside Christmas Truce last time and is expected to uphold the form. Again the worry is his ability to cope with a penalty in a stiffer race and he needs everything to go his way. Therefore, we prefer to go with Monets Masterpiece, who still has scope for improvement and, as he is arguably the least exposed in the line up, he could easily cope with top weight in this company.
Monets Masterpiece (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Call My Bluff (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Discotheque (USA) 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway on inside well over 1f out, carried right on bend over 1f out, led inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan beating The City Kid (7-13) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Play Up Pompey 7-1 (8-10) Dwelt, mid-division, headway to chase leader 2f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan beating Sahara Prince (7-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Hallings Overture (USA) 11-2 (8-13) Held up last, headway on outside 2f out, ran on well, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Ifatfirst (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Lobengula (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up, smooth headway on outer from 3f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 4l behind Play Up Pompey (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Ciccone 13-2 (9-0) Dwelt, held up in rear, no run from 2f out, switched left 1f out, kept on, 7th of 11, 4l behind Apache Fort (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Rowan Warning 10-3 (9-1) In touch, ridden and outpaced from over 2f out, staying on when hampered inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Play Up Pompey (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Blu Manruna 10-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, chased winner well over 1f out to over 1f out, faded, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Sunset Boulevard (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
