ran in snatches, soon pushed along to hold place, ridden 4f out, soon behind
raced freely, led to over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakening on inside when hit rail over 2f out
slowly away and always in rear
held up in rear, headway when no clear run from 2f out, weaved through over 1f out, stayed on side final furlong to take 3rd final 100 yards, finished well
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, driven to challenge on upsides 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
uneasy in stalls, behind, driven along 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, chased leaders and switched to inside over 1f out, led entering final furlong, driven out
held up towards rear, headway on wide outside over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed entering final furlong, chased front pair until no extra, lost 3rd final 100 yards
First Princess is the pick over Don't Desert Me, with Tumble Jill and King Of The Beers another pair to mention. In a race devoid of any recent winning form whatsoever, the recent placed efforts of First Princess may be good enough to enable Stan Moore's filly to prevail. Third here to Tilapia seven days ago, she looked as though this step up in trip would suit, as indeed did her similar effort at Kempton the time before. With a good draw in stall two to help, she should be able to see off the challenge of the progressive Don't Desert Me. The latter ran well enough when runner-up in his first handicap at Kempton last month, and is another trying 10-furlongs for the first time. However, he is drawn wider in stall eight and will have to get going before they hit the final bend. Tumble Jill showed a modicum of ability last year, while King Of The Beers has a string of duck-eggs next to his name but is not badly treated. First Princess has more going for her than most though, and is the pick.
Don't Desert Me (IRE) 3-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, stayed on final furlong to take 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Habalwatan (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
First Princess (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd close home, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Tilapia (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Shea's Round 33-1 (8-10) Tracked leader to 6f out, stayed prominent, ridden over 3f, outpaced final 2f, 5th of 8, 8l behind Salford Mill (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
It's No Problem (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders for 4f, last of 11, 15l behind Wachiwi (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
Hayley's Flower (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Held up, never on terms, 9th of 11, 5l behind Giant Slalom (8-6) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Nov.
Voss 25-1 (8-12) Chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 10l behind Grande Caiman (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Color Man 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, no impression, 5th of 7, 9l behind Darfour (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Ballyshane Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (8-1) Mid-division and keen, ridden 3f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 4l behind Global Traffic (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
