chased leaders, pushed along well over 2f out, led 1f out, edged right, headed post
keen hold, held up in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, nearest finish
slowly into stride, soon led, headed 1f out, weakened
mid-division, smooth headway over 1f out, ran on to lead post
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace
always behind
After just narrowly missing out last time we think SHADED EDGE can be rewarded for some recent good efforts by taking this seven furlong handicap in front of former course and distance winners Billberry and Rubenstar. The pick's near miss over course and distance on his latest run was given a welcome boost as the winner narrowly missed out on going in again next time up. This is a weaker contest and if in the same mood he should still be weighted to go one better this time. Billberry is turned out racing off a mark a pound lighter than when last in front. That came over six furlongs here in November but with his record suggesting he's better over this test a prominent display should be in the offing. Rubenstar is two from two over course and distance and after just finding the one too good last time off a similar mark he should be a leading player again. Lord Fedelio is respected after his success in a maiden on his last start, as is Learo Dochais now two pounds below his last winning rating. This looks pretty open but Shaded Edge is taken to get the win he deserves.
Shaded Edge 10-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed close home, no extra, 2nd of 8, nk behind Autumn Blades (9-4) at Lingfield 7f Handicap in Dec.
Durgan 50-1 (8-9) Pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 6l behind L'Hirondelle (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Billberry 8-1 (8-5) In rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 5l behind Capone (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Learo Dochais (USA) 8-1 (8-8) Led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 6l behind Autumn Blades (9-4) at Lingfield 7f Handicap in Dec.
Rubenstar (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Held up and keen, stayed on well inside last, went 2nd towards finish, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Just Jimmy (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Lord Fidelio (IRE) 2-1 (9-3) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec beating Lord Of The Dance (9-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Melt (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, last of 9, 12l behind Nacho Libre (8-13) at Kempton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Elusive Ronnie (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden 2f out, no extra, 9th of 12, 3l behind Handsome Cross (9-3) at Lingfield 6f Handicap in Dec.
Great Bounder (CAN) 20-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, staying on when hampered badly inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Just Jimmy (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.