always in rear
close up on inner, chased leading pair 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, driven ahead final 100 yards, stayed on
tracked leaders to 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders over 6f
mid-division, brief effort 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, moderate headway over 1f out
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
took keen hold towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
took keen hold in touch, went 2nd 3f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
led, driven and headed over 1f out, chased leader to inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
always in rear
held up in mid-division, headway under pressure 3f out, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on inner over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened quickly over 3f out
Bishops Finger is selected ahead of Augustine and Eloquent Knight. Course-and-distance winner, Bishops Finger, has never won a handicap but his recent claiming victory was against better rated horses and he was racing at unfavourable terms. He followed the effort with a good third to Young Mick and should give a solid account of himself here. Augustine was sent off favourite for a race at Southwell. He ran creditably enough but did not appear to suit that surface. He is upped in trip today. Eloquent Knight looks to have ability although he does not consent to show it. He could be up to winning this if he decides that he wishes to play ball with Martin Dwyer. Webbswood Lad has been campaigned as a stayer in the past. It is interesting that Stef Liddiard is opting to drop in trip rather than go back up to two miles. Buscador has won frequently on the all-weather but all those victories were at Dunstall Park. Devil's Island is watched in the market. Ramsgill has the services of rising star, James Doyle and should be staying on late. Bishops Finger is given the verdict.
Ramsgill (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, effort under pressure approaching final furlong, one pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Young Mick (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Bishops Finger 20-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, headway inside final 2f, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Young Mick (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Webbswood Lad (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) In touch, led over 3f out, driven and strongly pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Jack Rolfe (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Jan.
Devil's Island 3-1 (8-10) Led to 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 6l behind Arctic Desert (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Augustine 15-8 (9-4) With leader, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Quiet Reading (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Competitor 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 13, 3l behind Blue Hedges (7-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Barton Sands (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, effort on inside over 1f out, soon ridden and one pace, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Blue Hedges (7-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Buscador (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Led, driven over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Sand Repeal (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
