dwelt, soon recovered to lead after 1f, headed over 3f out, weakening when badly hampered over 2f out
slowly into stride, mid-division to rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
steadied in touch, headway over 1f out, weaved through final furlong, ran on to lead final 100 yds
led for 1f, stayled close up until weakened 2f out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led over 2f out, hard pressed and hung right final furlong, headed final 100 yds, ran on
driven along in rear 4f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, soon chased leader, ridden and every chance final furlong, unable to quicken final 100yds
soon tracked leader, led over 3f out to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
well behind and no chance when hampered over 2f out
mid-division, badly hampered on rail over 2f out, no chance after
always behind
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
always behind
raced wide, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Not an easy race to assess and only a tentative vote goes to Custodian, whose pedigree suggests that he will handle the surface and, considering that Henry Cecil never sends one to Lingfield unless he is fancied, the son of Giants Causeway is readily preferred to the frustrating Newnham and Master 'N Commander. It may also be prudent to monitor the betting activities surrounding Stage Manager, who, like the selection, makes a belated start to his career this afternoon. Derek Nolan takes 5lb off with his claim and he would not have to be anything out of the ordinary to figure today; though it is disconcerting the son of In The Wings (cost 86,000 as a yearling) was sold out of Amanda Perret's yard for only 9,000gns. Master 'N Commander is lightly raced and showed a bit of encouragement last time. His yard had three winners here in the last fortnight and an improved display cannot be discounted. Newnham has a race within him and deserves a change of fortune after a series of near misses of late. His willingness to stick his head in front does have to be of concern though and he is not one to rely upon too heavily. Therefore, we take a chance with the well-bred Custodian, who is sure to have been stalls tested since the last time he was down to race and he fancied to reward his connections perseverance at the first time of asking.
Busy Man (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up, pulled hard, weakened 8th, 8th of 10, well behind Moscow Gold (9-13) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd in Dec (N.Hunt).
Grey Report (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Not fluent, led until tried to stop and not run on after 7th, virtually pulled up after, 13th of 17, well behind Standin Obligation (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp hdl (A) gs in Nov (N.Hunt).
Newnham (IRE) 8-11fav (9-4) Chased leaders, led 3f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, nk behind Caraman (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
Contented (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Paso Doble (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Custodian (IRE) Giant's Causeway colt, half-brother to several winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
Master'n Commander 25-1 (8-13) Keen hold, in touch, outpaced and hung right bend 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Country Pursuit (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Aug.
Measured Response 11-1 (8-6) Mid-division, pushed along and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Bailieborough (8-11) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gs in Sept.
Monash Lad (IRE) 14-1 (8-1) Dwelt, headway 6f out, lost place over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 9th of 11, 6l behind Deeper In Debt (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol.
Postmaster 50-1 (8-8) In touch 8f, last of 14, 18l behind Willhego (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Stage Manager (IRE) In The Wings colt, half-brother to three winners up to 7f.
Rose Amber 100-1 (8-9) Always behind, 9th of 12, 14l behind Barton Sands (9-0) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol.
Lady Pilot 12-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 2f out, strong run final furlong, ran on well, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Danse Spectre (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Whitsbury Common 18-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 12l behind Five Fields (8-10) at Bath 1m 2f mdn fll (5) frm in Sept.
Woodwool 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, short of room just inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 9, 6l behind Ninth House (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec.
