tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
keen, mid-division, improved 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
slowly away, held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway to chase leader over 6f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, led over 7f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced by winner
led, headed over 7f out, remained prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
A trappy handicap rounds off the card with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Mafeking,Victor Trumper and Lorikeet and the vote is given to Mafeking. The selection has been in good form without winning of late but was a fair third behind Alpes Maritimes last time out, that form has since been franked and off the same mark here he looks the one to be on. Victor Trumper rates the main danger as he was a fair second behind Chookie Hamilton when last seen but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 342 day break. Lorikeet was a fair third behind Dark Parade last time and is another with place claims but his best form is over a longer trip. Of the remainder Dragon Slayer is from a yard in form and could go well at a price while Cupid's Glory looks vulnerable under top weight and with this in mind for the winner we return to Mafeking.
Cupid's Glory 33-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly 2f out, 13th of 14, 11l behind Capricorn Run (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Cactus King 16-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 12, 13l behind Night Cru (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Obrigado (USA) 40-1 (9-7) Took keen hold towards rear, headway 5f out into mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 11l behind Evident Pride (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Victor Trumper 5-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, driven and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 4, shd behind Chookie Hamilton (8-6) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec '06.
Mafeking (UAE) 3-1jt-fav (9-7) Mid-division, headway when hung left over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Alpes Maritimes (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Keen, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Alpes Maritimes (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Lorikeet 9-4fav (9-6) Held up, headway 5f out, led inside final 3f, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Dark Parade (8-6) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) frm in Apr.
Highland Harvest 12-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, headway and effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Pendulum Star (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.