tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, just held on under pressure
slowly away, behind, headway and hung right 2f out, ran on approaching final furlong, never nearer
dwelt, soon in touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on under pressure, never able to challenge
chased leaders, lost place well over 3f out
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind and soon ridden, never a factor
led, keen early, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, progress over 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, flashed tail under pressure, stayed on well
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
A competitive contest which could see Hucking Hero claim the main prize with Geezers Colours and Chinese Temple heading the list of dangers. Connections appear to have discovered the key to Hucking Hero of late and the hold-up performer could still be ahead of the handicapper despite winning his last two. He beat Geezers Colours by a neck in the first of those and the pair reoppose on identical terms suggesting that there could be little between them here. Geezers Colours has since gone on to win at Wolverhampton where he had Chinese Temple 3 lengths in arrears. That was Chinese Temple's first run since August and his first since joining Mick Quinlan from Ireland; he's entitled to improve for that outing and is also 3lbs better off this afternoon so his chance must be respected. Burriscarra, Fathsta and Cross Fell are other names that could be thrown into the mix but Hucking Hero earns the vote.
Geezers Colours 13-8fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led narrowly 2f out, ridden out, won at W'hampton 7f nov stk (5) pol in Dec beating Nice Wee Girl (8-7) by 2l, 4 ran.
Kalhan Sands (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Jumped right start, chased leaders to halfway, soon beaten, tailed off, last of 7, 27l behind Sporting Art (9-5) at Ripon 6f 2yo stk (3) gd in Aug.
Chinese Temple (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Slowly into stride, help up in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, hung left and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 4, 3l behind Geezers Colours (9-5) at W'hampton 7f nov stk (5) pol in Dec.
Harry Gee 25-1 (8-12) Raced stand's side, chased leaders, ridden halfway soon weakened, 14th of 15, 26l behind Kal Barg (8-10) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Yamanmickmccann 6-1 (9-3) With leader, lost place well over 3f out, last of 5, 12l behind Hucking Hero (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Cross Fell (USA) 5-2 (9-5) Always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo clm (6) pol in Dec beating Copperbottomed (8-9) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Burriscarra 9-1 (8-9) Pressed leader, every chance 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Amazing Star (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo stk (3) pol in Nov.
Harbour Blues 7-2 (9-5) Led, headed 2f out, weakened 1f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Ike Quebec (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Smokey Rye 10-1 (8-13) Mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, not clear run, squeezed through final furlong, took 2nd close home, closed on winner near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Fathsta (9-0) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Glittering Prize (UAE) 6-4 (8-12) Close up, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, unchallenged, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec beating Molly Ann (8-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Hucking Hero (IRE) 2-1fav (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, pushed out, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol beating McConnell (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Fathsta (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, soon pressed, ran on, held on well, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Smokey Rye (8-13) by a hd, 9 ran.
