Not many can be ruled out in a highly-competitive sprint and the progressive FOREST EDGE is one of the more obvious candidate's as he bids for a four-timer. He scored with a bit in hand when beating Addictive Dream and Ajjaadd over 5f here a week ago and gets a tentative vote. If So fell victim to the selection earlier but re-opposes on better terms, while Lancelot Du Lac won in this grade at Kempton a fortnight ago and is another to consider. All-weather debutant Hoof It and Hawkeyethenoo have both won the Stewards' Cup in their time and remain smart sprinters while Noble Deed was beaten only a short-head in the Shergar Cup sprint at Ascot in August and could also figure.
Hoof It 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leader stand side, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 18, 3l behind Jack Dexter (9-9) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.
Ballista (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) Led, soon pressed, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 11, 13l behind Valbchek (9-2) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Forest Edge (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) won at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol beating Addictive Dream (9-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Lancelot Du Lac (ITY) 5-4fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, led 1f out, kept on well, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov beating Picture Dealer (8-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Hawkeyethenoo (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) In rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Valbchek (9-2) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Tarooq (USA) 4-1 (9-10) Soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no impression on leaders, 5th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Loyalty (8-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Addictive Dream (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) 2nd of 10, 1l behind Forest Edge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol.
Ajjaadd (USA) 6-1 (9-0) 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Forest Edge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol.
If So 11-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Addictive Dream (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Shafaani 12-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Waking Warrior (9-2) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Noble Deed 3-1fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, hung left over 1f out, ran on, caught post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Annunciation (9-13) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Picture Dealer 8-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Lancelot Du Lac (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
