mid-division on outside, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards, ridden out
in rear, outpaced over 3f out, never a factor
mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression inside final furlong
soon led, headed narrowly 3f out, lost place over 1f out, gradually weakened inside final furlong
behind, driven and headway when not clear run 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, never reached leaders
soon pressed leader, led narrowly 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led early, tracked leaders, headway and effort on inside over 1f out, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 50 yards, lost 2nd near finish
There looks no need to look any further than top weight SMOKETHATTHUNDERS in this. He was only beaten a length in a more competitive sprint here last month with Bajan Bear back in third and James Toller's charge should go very close with a similar effort in this company. He's closely matched with the unreliable Seek The Fair Land on earlier running but Valmina could prove a bigger threat off his current mark. Billy Red has been well beaten over 6f here either side of scoring over the minimum trip so Senator Bong makes more appeal dropping back down a grade.
Smokethatthunders (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Switched left soon after start, in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Agerzam (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Panther Patrol (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Close up when short of room soon after start, in rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Absolutely So (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Valmina 6-1 (9-7) Held up, wide into straight 2f out, never a factor, 9th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Jungle Bay (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Billy Red 10-1 (9-5) Not much room leaving stalls, raced wide, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out, last of 11, 13l behind Jungle Bay (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Seek The Fair Land 7-2fav (9-4) Tracked leading pair, led 2f out, headed and ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 9, 5l behind Two No Bids (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Senator Bong 5-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Picansort (9-7) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
El Mirage (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Led over 1f, chased leader until well over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 12l behind Blazing Knight (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Bajan Bear 12-1 (8-5) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Agerzam (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Alnoomaas (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 9l behind Jay Bee Blue (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Rigolleto (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Broke well and led early, tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 5th in closing stages, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bapak Bangsawan (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
