mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, effort approaching final furlong, kept on well for 2nd, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on until weakened quickly 2f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong
always in rear group, never a factor
slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway, soon weakened
close up until ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden slightly outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
behind, headway when checked over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up mid-division, good headway to lead 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong
started slowly, held up in rear, headway through rivals over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, soon headed, one pace final furlong
tracked leader to over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, soon ridden along, wide straight well over 1f out, never on terms
always behind, never troubled leaders
Almondillo is taken to land this competitive handicap, Double Valentine and Joy And Pain could be the main dangers. The selection wears blinkers for the first time today and they could bring about improvement. His latest effort over course and distance was a decent run and he may need only to reproduce it to win here. Double Valentine was just touched off in a reasonable race at Kempton last time out and could be on the way back to her best. Joy And Pain is proving very hard to win with at present but is on a very lenient mark and will pop up one of these days, it may be this afternoon. However the stronger claims are held by Almondillo and this one is given the nod.
Grand Assault 12-1 (8-12) Took keen hold in touch, lost place over 2f out, last of 11, 5l behind Hotchpotch (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 8th of 12, 7l behind By The Edge (8-12) at W'hampton 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct.
Marmooq 6-1jt-fav (8-11) Led until halfway, weakened 2f out, 10th of 14, 6l behind Ever Cheerful (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Shantina's Dream (USA) 50-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, wide straight, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Rhapsilian (8-12) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Batchworth Blaise 12-1 (9-6) Steadied start, in rear, headway to chase leading pair 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Oat Cuisine (8-12) at Lingfield 1m mdn aut stk (5) pol in Oct.
Lily La Belle 40-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 8l behind Pivotal Truth (8-12) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Park Valley Prince 66-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, 9th of 11, 17l behind Rhyming Slang (9-3) at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Hannahbecc 25-1 (8-5) Led, ridden over 3f out, soon headed, weakened approaching 2f out, 9th of 10, 17l behind Dream of Fortune (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Joy And Pain 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear on inside, switched right 3f out, headway over 2f out, wide straight, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Quantum Leap (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Double Valentine 16-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, headway 3f out, every change final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, nk behind Chin Wag (9-8) at Kempton 7f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Almondillo (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon hung left, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Scarlett Heart (9-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo sll (6) pol in Oct.
James Street (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 13, 4l behind Golden Brown (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Tokyo Jo (IRE) 12-1 (8-0) Mid-division, ridden and hung badly left from 2f out, no impression when no room on rail inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 9l behind Surprise Act (9-1) at Brighton 1m 3yo hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Stagnite 20-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 4th of 12, 10l behind Tequila Sheila (8-10) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) gd in Aug.
