chased leader, led narrowly 4f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, just held on
wide in mid-division, effort on outside 3f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
led, ridden and headed 4f out, pressed winner under pressure until weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
in touch, headway on outside well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well, just failed
awkward leaving stalls, held up in rear, headway final furlong, never nearer
always behind
keen, tracked leaders until weakened well over 1f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon one pace and no impression
A tough handicap that can go to Smokin Joe, who likes his racing at this track and he is preferred over the in-form Kareeb and What-A-Dancer, who both hold solid claims at this level. Cherokee Nation can also play a part on these terms and he could represent decent each-way value if he gets the breaks in running. Kareeb won in good style at Wolverhampton on New Year's Eve and, having gone well at this course in the past, he should be capable of getting into the thick of it as the race unfolds. He is still feasibly well treated on the pick of his form, even though he needs to overcome a 3lb higher mark this afternoon. What-A-Dancer hails from a yard that have hit form at present and he should appreciate the ease in grade today. Still, he faces no easy task from top weight and he may have to wait for another day to start paying off the ¿20,000 Nick Littmoden shelled out for him after he won a claimer here last December. However, in a race that looks primed to go to something that can produce a killer punch in the closing stages, it can pay to give Smokin Joe another chance to weave his way through late in the day. George Baker gets on well with the son of Cigar, who is fancied to blow them all away near the line.
Desperation (IRE) 12-1 Mostly tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, idled in front, held on near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (D2) pol in Jan beating Red Chairman by a shd, 10 ran.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 50-1 Held up in touch, headway 4f out, soon ridden along, outpaced from 2f out, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bathwick Finesse at Chepstow 1m 2yo mdn aut (F3) gd in Sept.
Royal Charter 50-1 Behind, struggling halfway, soon tailed off, last of 14, 37l behind Grand Seigneur at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Jan.
Spence Appeal (IRE) 4-1fav Dwelt, held up, headway over 3f out, chased leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, hung badly right but kept on, 2nd of 12, hd behind Wiltshire at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (E3) pol.
Ronnies Lad 6-1 Outpaced, driven along halfway, headway final furlong but no danger, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Bodden Bay at Lingfield 6f 3yo sll (G4) pol.
Coombe Centenary 20-1 Close up over 7f, 12th of 14, 10l behind Terminate at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Armatrading (IRE) 9-1 Dwelt, soon in mid-division, effort and hard driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 3l behind Missed Turn at Lingfield 1m 3yo fll sll stk (G4) pol.
Autumn Daze 100-1 In touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 13l behind Hidden Jewel at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn aut (F4) pol in Nov.
Missie Baileys 16-1 Led to over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 14, 8l behind Terminate at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Shugula (IRE) Tagula filly, half-sister to 7f winner El Layth.
Just Beware 33-1 Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and no impression final 2f, 7th of 10, 7l behind High Chart at Lingfield 1m 3yo app hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
