in touch, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f
held up, headway to lead just over 3f out, hard pressed final furlong, ran on well
started slowly, pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
took keen hold behind, effort 2f out, soon one pace, weakened final furlong
started slowly, pulled hard towards rear, headway to lead over 6f out, ridden and headed just over 3f out, gradually weakened from 2f out
tracked leaders, slightly lost place on inside over 2f out, effort over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, always held
tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, towards rear, kept on final 2f, nearest finish
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never nearer
took keen hold towards rear, never a factor
led to over 6f out, lost touch inside final 2f, eased final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3f out
behind, wide into straight 2f out, plenty to do, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
took keen hold towards rear, outpaced final 2f, never on terms
A trappy affair and Berkhamsted is selected with King Of Music and Reaching Out appearing the most obvious dangers. Tom Dascombe's fledgling training career appears to be going places quickly and he looks to have a likeable sort on his hands here. The gelding has matched strides with some of the better handicappers on the all-weather this winter and did not do too much wrong when second to Blacktoft last time out. King Of Music won last time out and is respected despite the vagaries of a poor draw. Reaching Out also arrives in good form. The form of his recent second to Street Life was given a significant boost by that rival the other day and it would be no surprise to see him challenging for favouritism. Willie Haggas has set the handicapper a puzzle with Snowy Day. A progressive individual, his latest performance was a step in the wrong direction. Samarinda has had plenty of chances over hurdles and on the level and managed to put it together to win over 1m2f. There is still the potential for some improvement over this trip. Lunar Promise is another who should be watched in the market whilst Barry Island has tumbled in the weights despite finishing close-up on his most recent outings. A difficult race to solve and Berkhamsted appears to have plenty of positives despite a big weight.
Berkhamsted (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Prominent, chased leaders 2f out, led over 1f out, collared on line, 2nd of 9, shd behind Blacktoft (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Lunar Promise (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Dart Along (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Broughtons Folly 6-5fav (9-4) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway to chase leading pair over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Pagano (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Smokin Joe 10-1 (8-2) Pulled hard, wide and in touch, ridden and outpaced final 2f, 7th of 9, 6l behind Fajr (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
King of Music (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Close up, led well over 2f out, shaken up and went well clear over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol beating Voice Mail (9-2) by 10l, 8 ran.
Samarinda (USA) 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, soon every chance, led inside final furlong, all out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Dec beating Marbaa (9-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Easy Laughter (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, weakened 3f out, 10th of 16, 14l behind Augustine (9-4) at Bath 1m 2f hcap (6) gs in Apr.
Barry Island 12-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd inside last, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Blacktoft (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Snowy Day (FR) 9-4 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden, edged left over 1f out, soon challenging, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Tous Les Deux (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Lit Et Mixe (FR) 40-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never a factor, 8th of 9, 13l behind Prime Contender (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Siena Star (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Raced on outside, mid-division, pushed along and one pace final 2f, 6th of 14, 6l behind Wild Pitch (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Sundance (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Held up behind, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon in rear, last of 12, 9l behind Linda Green (8-8) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Reaching Out (IRE) 9-2fav (9-1) Started slowly, held up, headway over 1f out, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Street Life (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Just Fly 18-1 (8-4) Steadied start, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 8l behind Peruvian Prince (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
