slight lead to 2f out, remained prominent, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra well inside final furlong
dwelt, outpaced in rear, headway on inside approaching final furlong, ran on well
with leader, led 2f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, closed on winner near finish, just failed
held up, struck on head by rival whip inside final furlong, ran on after, finished well
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, hard driven, just held on, all out
chased leaders, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
slowly away, behind, some late headway
Division Two of the sprint handicap is a trappy finale, with most of these having won over course and distance, including our selection JOSS STICK, who we marginally prefer to Monte Cassino and Spoof Master. Most of those previous wins came a while ago though. Joss Stick was switched to Ron Harris' yard in the autumn, and he's seeing some steady improvement, having been placed in his last couple of runs. He could yet return to the form that saw him win here previously. He's got a low draw to overcome though, and little time to make up for it. Monte Cassino and Spoof Master are joint top weights, but both have apprentices on board to help counter that. Spoof Master won the Brocklesby two years ago, but since then his only success was earlier in the summer at Great Leighs. Monte Cassino, with just 12 runs, is one of the least exposed, but has yet to land a blow. However two recent thirds, his only career placings, have at least shown some improvement. Although most of these have paid their way over the years they're racing at this level for a reason, so it's not a contest to go overboard about. But we think the lucky last can go the way of Joss Stick.
Spoof Master (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Led to over 4f out, stayed tracking leader, ridden and effort 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakend inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Littledodayno (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Monte Cassino (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Led, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, headed final 100 yards, unable to quicken and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Billy Hot Rocks (9-3) at Kempton 6f mdn stk (5) pol.
Joss Stick 7-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Thoughtsofstardom (9-4) at Lingfield 5f app hcp (6) pol.
Scarlet Oak 16-1 (8-11) Always behind, 13th of 14, 15l behind Billy Red (8-10) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Hurricane Coast 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Royal Manor (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Azygous 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, no extra over 1f out and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Shaded Edge (8-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Stoneacre Pat (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Slowly away, soon recovered to go prominent, chased winner 3f out, driven over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Todber (8-12) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Rightcar Dominic 33-1 (9-3) Always outpaced towards rear, lost touch over 2f out, 8th of 9, 12l behind Atheer Dubai (9-3) at Lingfield 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov.
Lady Bahia (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced in rear, last of 12, 11l behind The Geester (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
Egyptian Lord 4-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, raced keenly, tracked leaders to over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 4l behind Wibbadune (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar.
