tracked leaders, ridden to chase easy winner over 1f out, kept on
made all, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on, comfortable
raced wide held up, headway approaching final furlong, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
held up, ridden over 1f out, never near leaders
in touch, ridden 2f out, not troubled leaders
slowly away towards rear, going well when looking for run 2f out, headway on inner entering final furlong, ran on to go 3rd near finish, never dangerous
switched sharply left soon after start, in rear, never a factor
slowly away, in rear when bumped and stumbled after 1f, never a factor
raced wide close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, short of room towards finish
keen in touch, ridden and no impression 2f out, effort inside final furlong, lost 3rd near finish
It's hard to have much confidence in any of this bunch but FALASTEEN has slipped steadily down the weights since last winning in 2011 and, after his latest second over 5f here, he may finally be ready to get his head back in front. Haadeeth went close at Kempton the last time Richard Hughes was on board and he can figure along with Homeboy. The latter is facing a tougher task here, however, having beaten lower rated opposition including Waterloo Dock in a seller at this track last time. Johnny Splash and Homeward Strut are others with claims.
Falasteen (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked winner until slightly outpaced over 1f out, rallied to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Billy Red (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Haadeeth 5-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden and lost place over 1f out, 6th of 10, 8l behind Royal Reyah (9-2) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Ghostwing 20-1 (8-9) Towards rear on inside, headway 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 9l behind Eager To Bow (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Catalinas Diamond (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In touch in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Red Larkspur (9-7) at Lingfield 6f fll hcp (0-75) (5) pol in Mar.
Homeward Strut 11-4fav (9-7) Tracked leader, every chance from over 2f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Mambo Spirit (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Dishy Guru 8-1 (9-7) Steadied start, behind, headway over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 6l behind Mambo Spirit (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Homeboy (IRE) 4-5fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, pushed along under a hand ride when edged left and carried head high inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) pol in Mar beating Waterloo Dock (9-9) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Methaaly (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind New Decade (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Johnny Splash (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Raced wide tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Sweet Ovation (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Waterloo Dock 8-1 (9-9) Led after 1f, ridden 2f out, joined inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Homeboy (10-0) at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) pol in Mar.
Aaranyow (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Raced wide, took keen hold in touch, ridden and weakened halfway, last of 9, 29l behind Kalokagathia (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.