held up, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well to take 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
started slowly, in rear, moderate headway inside final 2f, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra and weakened final furlong
started slowly, always towards rear, ridden over 3f out, wide straight, never dangerous
stumbled start, soon ridden along in mid-division, kept on from over 1f out but not trouble leaders
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 2f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
behind, headway when hampered and checked on rail inside final furlong, not recover
held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders
led until headed well over 1f out, weakened rapidly and eased final furlong
Ever Cheerful gets the call ahead of Clipper Hoy, with Franksalot, Law Maker and Smokin Joe all making for a quite open finale. This is not the easiest of getting out stakes, but Ever Cheerful, one of just seven course and distance winners in the line-up, is taken to defy topweight. Greg Chung's five-year-old defied a rise in the handicap to beat Law Maker over five furlongs here eight days ago and can meet that rival on slightly better terms here so should maintain that form. Interestingly, he failed to last home in the race won by Silent Storm the time before, and strictly on the book, has it to do with Charles Cyzer's charge, but he ran much too freely then and a repeat of the tactics employed last time should enable him to turn the tables. Marko Jadeo is also well in on earlier form here, but he does tend to get outpaced and cannot be backed with confidence, while Clipper Hoy has bags of speed but this will be only his second ever attempt at six furlongs. Franksalot scraped home in a claimer over track and trip 12 days ago, but seems to run better over seven furlongs, and Smokin Joe has not won for over a year, although he showed a glimpse of his old form when third here last week. For the winner we return to Ever Cheerful.
Ever Cheerful 11-2 (9-0) In touch, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure final furlong to lead close home, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Law Maker (8-10) by 1l, 10 ran.
Hayyani (IRE) 11-2fav (8-12) Pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened and in rear, last of 12, 20l behind Hits Only Heaven (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Law Maker 5-1 (8-10) Disputed lead, slowly pressed and driven final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Ever Cheerful (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Marko Jadeo (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Dwelt, held up, switched inside final 2f, ran on well, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Chief Exec (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (4) pol.
Smokin Joe 14-1 (8-10) Raced wide, in touch, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Chief Exec (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (4) pol.
Silent Storm 7-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec beating Hard To Catch (8-6) by 2l, 12 ran.
Franksalot (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-12) Steadied start, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside last, held on, won at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec beating General Feeling (9-2) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Clipper Hoy 7-2fav (9-1) Made all, pushed clear 1f out, easily, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Brave Chief (8-13) by 3l, 12 ran.
