mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, never nearer
slowly into stride, soon ridden and prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed final 50 yards
held up, improved over 3f out, chased leader 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
keen, led, headed 7f out, remained prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders over 6f
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
behind, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leader, led 7f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway on inside over 3f out, switched right well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on and edged left to lead final 50 yards
keen, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased leader 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
held up, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
raced wide, chased leaders over 7f
A competitive handicap here and Northside Lodge may be good enough to get the better of Red Birr, Port 'N Starboard, Llamadas and Alfridini. The selection has dropped in the weights of late and been given his best chance for some time here. He has handled this track well enough in the past, he races over his optimum trip, and his useful 5lb claimer Greg Fairley will help ease the burden on his back, so we will take a chance on him. Red Birr has been knocking on the door, but at the same time going up in the handicap. The form of his last three starts gives him a chance of being involved in the shake-up again here, though he just seems to be too high for not winning. Nevertheless, he is still weighted to confirm form with Port 'N Starboard, who finished behind him last time and is likely to do so once more. Llamadas is higher in the weights than when winning over a mile here in December, but remains fit from a couple of hurdle races and cannot be discounted, while Alfridini won a muddling race last time, and the form cannot be trusted. Neverthless, he could do no more than finish in front, and a 4lb rise is not unduly harsh, so he could again go close. But Northside Lodge has been given a squeak here and can take advantage.
Alekhine (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up, headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 6l behind Blue Patrick (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Gingko 11-1 (8-9) In touch, pushed along 3f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind El Tiger (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Red Birr (IRE) 7-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner 2f out, held final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Amorist (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Desert Reign 9-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader until weakened 2f out, 8th of 14, 13l behind James Caird (9-11) at Goodwood 1m 1f app hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Alfridini 9-2 (9-2) Made all and dictated steady pace, kicked on 2f out, driven and in command over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Monashee Prince (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Llamadas 20-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Island Rapture (9-0) by a hd, 12 ran.
Northside Lodge (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Held up in rear, driven over 1f out, no chance, 9th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Willhego (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
African Sahara (USA) 9-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, headway when hampered 1f out, no further impression, 6th of 11, 4l behind Newnham (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Little Jimbob 12-1 (8-4) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden 1f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Blue Patrick (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Zalkani (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, led over 9f out, clear 4f out, headed inside last, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 9l behind Bid For Fame (10-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol.
Danger Zone 4-1fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 16, 11l behind Countrywide Luck (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Holiday Cocktail 15-2 (8-12) Never a factor, 8th of 14, 9l behind Amorist (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Flying Pass 20-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 13, 7l behind Parkview Love (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Port 'n Starboard 6-1 (8-10) In touch, hard ridden 3f out, took 3rd post, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Amorist (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
