in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened quickly over 3f out
close up, driven to chase leader over 1f out, every chance final furlong, unable to quicken final 100 yards
raced keenly, steadied in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased when beaten
close up on inside, ridden to lead on inside just inside final furlong, ran on well, driven out
led, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
slowly away, held up last, headway on inner over 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leader, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, always behind
Nonrunner
A competitive contest can go to the in-form Boo ahead of the likes of Hail The Chief, Mizz Tee and Royal Island. Boo kept his unbeaten record on the all-weather intact when beating Mizz Tee, Hail The Chief and Gavroche at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago, and although he now races off a higher mark, Karl Burke's charge handles a Polytrack surface and should cope with the switch to Lingfield. Hail The Chief had no excuses when beaten by the selection last time as he was allowed to dominate, and the same outlook is on the cards again. Likewise Mizz Tee had no excuses and looks held along with Gavroche, and a bigger danger may well be Royal Island providing that he can cope with the surface first time. Of the rest, last year's winner Howle Hill can line on a lower mark than 12 months ago despite carrying topweight, and Activo will be suited by the return to a mile. Tactics will once again play a major part, but we fancy Boo to come through and score.
Howle Hill (IRE) 100-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 20, 10l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Royal Island (IRE) 9-2fav (9-3) Outpaced towards rear, driven halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Hartshead (8-8) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Boo 9-2 (7-12) Held up, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, ridden to lead hanging left just inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec beating Mizz Tee (7-11) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Qadar (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Keen, tracked leaders on outside, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong, 12th of 13, 12l behind Serre Chevalier (9-2) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Tiger Tiger (FR) 8-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cold Turkey (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Hail The Chief 11-4fav (8-7) Led, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Boo (7-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Activo (FR) 10-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Psychiatrist (8-12) at Lingfield 1m Cond Stakes (4) pol in Dec.
Mizz Tee (IRE) 5-1 (7-11) Always prominent, ridden approaching final furlong, switched right inside final furlong and ran on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Boo (7-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Mustang Ali (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Keen, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Tharua (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Gavroche (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride and behind, headway on outside 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to be nearest at finish, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Boo (7-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
