chased winner, disputing 2nd and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, lost 2 places close home
held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling 4f out, never on terms
held up in 5th, headway on outside and edged left over 1f out, stayed on well closing stages, went 2nd close home, never able to challenge
held up in last trio, headway on outside over 3f out, hung left and went 3rd 2f out, disputing 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, outpaced to 3rd close home
chased leaders, pushed along when short of room over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression
made all, set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, unchallenged
started very slowly and flashed tail after start, always in rear, never a factor, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced and lost place over 2f out, no chance after
Strike Force continues to run well without winning and will probably make the frame once again. Bath winner Sunset Place also has claims on his best form, but the lack of a recent outing counts against him, while Kames Park is still capable of popping up in one these contests if things go his way. However, a chance is taken that THUNDERING HOME can hold his form after scoring over today's trip at Wolverhampton last month. George Baker's gelding rates the selection just ahead of unexposed The Holyman, who tries today's longer distance for the first time.
Strike Force 6-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, hard ridden over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Spes Nostra (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Perfect Shot (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 9l behind Irons On Fire (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Dec.
Sunset Place 12-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind High On A Hill (9-6) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Kames Park (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Started very slowly, driven when hung left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Irons On Fire (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Dec.
Thundering Home 7-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, squeezed through to challenge entering final furlong, led closing stages, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec beating Broughtons Paradis (9-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
The Holyman (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) Dwelt raced wide, mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Mazamorra (9-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Ayaarah (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leading pair, pushed along over 4f out, lost moderate 3rd inside final 2f, weakened soon after, 5th of 6, 27l behind Eastern Breeze (8-12) at Windsor 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Broughtons Swinger 14-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Ninfea (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.