held up in rear, good headway and wide outside 2f out, ran on under pressure final furlong to lead final 50 yards
switched left to inside rail soon after restart, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
chased leaders until weakened final furlong
held up in touch, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, no danger
pressed leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, not quickened and headed final 50 yards
dwelt, held up in rear, staying on under pressure when not much room, well inside final furlong
led, ridden 3f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakening when hampered near finish
slowly into stride, held up in rear, staying on same place when hampered inside final furlong
close up on inner, every chance final furlong, not quickened final 50 yards
chased leaders, driven along 2f out, heavily eased when beaten inside final furlong
held up towards rear, stayed on under pressure final furlong
pulled hard and soon tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on one pace from over 1f out
held up, closed 2f out, hampered over 1f out, inside final furlong, not recovered
raced wide in touch, driven 2f out, soon beaten
This is a wide open handicap in which only a narrow vote goes to Blonde En Blonde, with a whole host of dangers including Whippasnapper, Greenwood, Effective and He Who Dares to name but a few. The booking of Kieren Fallon for Blonde En Blonde catches the eye, as Nick Littmoden's five-year-old bids to step up on her recent second at Wolverhampton. That decent effort came despite the burden of topweight and a high draw, and it is hoped that the return to Lingfield, scene of her last victory, will pay off. The recent fitting of blinkers has helped, and although this class D contest is a fair test, Kieren Fallon's presence in the saddle is a big plus. There are plenty of dangers, not least Greenwood who was a close third here recently on his first attempt over seven furlongs, in what was a slightly higher-grade affair. Quite useful on turf in the past, he will pay to follow over the next few weeks. Whippasnapper always goes well here, especially when forcing tactics are adopted, and he should be prominent. However, this looks a bit tough for him, while Effective and He Who Dares also face stiff tasks, but the latter in particular has been in good heart. All in all, it is a hard one to solve, but a small stake on Blonde En Blonde may not go amiss.