held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, ran on final furlong to take 3rd near finish
held up mid-division, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
held up in rear, weakened 3f out
in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, no danger
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, chased winner briefly entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, ran on well towards finish
set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, soon chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, hard driven final furlong, held on near finish
raced keenly, tracked leader to over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders on outer, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
A tricky opener in which Western Roots, Port N Starboard and Blackmail make the shortlist and we shall side with Western Roots. Jimmy Quinn's prominence on the all-weather is in no way a fluke. An accomplished rider on all three tracks - we will be relying on his tactical nous to position us effectively from a poor draw. Critically for Lingfield Park, Western Roots is a horse that stays well and on this step up in trip, he can confirm the favourable impression that his recent runs at Wolverhampton has left with us. Port N Starboard's recent win was another feat of jockeyship. Martin Dwyer was able to dictate the pace at a vital stage in the contest to land a maiden which looked beyond him on the BHB figures. Connections will be pleased with this afternoon's draw. Blackmail is one who will be played late in the piece. His most recent run was after a slight absence so more can be anticipated. Cormorant Wharf was a useful juvenile sprinter in his day. He has clearly had his training troubles but does not have many miles on the clock. Night Storm was a shock winner of a similar race at the track in December. The handicapper has seen fit to add just 3lbs since. Sphinx is potentially well-treated on his old form. A notoriously tricky starter, he is a rare winter ride for Michael Hills. Western Roots is given marginal preference.
Western Roots 11-4fav (9-9) Mid-division, ran on well inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Ronsard (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Shirazi 5-1 (9-10) Held up last, kept on one pace final 2f, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 16l behind Most-Saucy (8-13) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (E) gd in Jul '03.
Sphinx (FR) 16-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 9l behind Principal Witness (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Blackmail (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Held up, effort 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Principal Witness (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Night Storm 9-2jt-fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 1f out, switched right, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind Connotation (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Port 'n Starboard 3-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol beating Kirkstone (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Red Sans 11-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 2l behind Danse Spectre (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Bonnabee (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Held up, headway 4f out, effort 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 11l behind Casual Glance (8-2) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Blue Hedges 33-1 (8-8) With leader, led after 2f, under pressure over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 7th of 12, 11l behind Cash On (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Sept.
Tricky Venture 6-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, slightly hampered over 6f out, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, last of 13, 22l behind Cup of Love (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Cormorant Wharf (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 14, 5l behind Stoic Leader (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (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.
