held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, not clear run 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders final furlong, never able to challenge
held up mid-division, smooth headway 3f out, driven to lead over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
pulled hard towards rear, headway well over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
led until ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, headway when not clear run inside final furlong, switched right, never dangerous
A fairly unappealing contest to bring the day's racing to a close but it could prove to be a decent opportunity for Ponte Vecchio to open his account although Riviera Red ran well enough last time to be considered and Lordswood also has claims. Ponte Vecchio only missed out by a head on his latest start at Wolverhampton in December. He races from the same mark, could be suited by the slight drop in trip and a similar effort could suffice in this company. Lordswood's losing run stretches back to November 2006 and Riviera Red's to 2005 but the latter was putting in some decent work at the finish over seven furlongs here last time on his return from almost a year on the sidelines. He has claims if he can build on that but Ponte Vecchio boasts solid claims and gets the nod.
Stratn Jack 66-1 (8-8) Steadied start, prominent after 1f, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, 9th of 10, 17l behind Ninth House (9-1) at Lingfield 1m app clm (6) pol in Dec.
Maiden Investor 16-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on, 5th of 8, 6l behind Zabeel House (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Kinsman (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2f out, 8th of 13, 6l behind Under Fire (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Jessica Wigmo 9-1 (8-6) Started slowly, in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on same pace over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 13, 8l behind Carlitos Spirit (9-3) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ponte Vecchio (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, hd behind Shantina's Dream (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
Riviera Red (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Towards rear, wide straight well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Epidaurian King (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Lordswood (IRE) 14-1 (7-12) Held up, headway over 5f out, hung left from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Hatch A Plan (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Frank's Quest (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) In rear, headway on inside 2f out, no threat when eased inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 12l behind Dawson Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Blakeshall Hope 33-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 8l behind Moonlight Fantasy (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Newpark Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, no extra under pressure from over 1f out, last of 14, 13l behind Desert Ben (8-10) at Cork 5f hcp 0-60 gd in Oct.
