pulled hard, led at steady pace, kicked on 2f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened towards finish
took keen hold in touch, pushed along 3f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
held up, pushed along over 2f out, driven to chase leaders final furlong, stayed on to press for 2nd, near finish
well placed behind leaders on inner, travelling well when not clear run briefly approaching final furlong, driven to lead inside final furlong, pushed out
held up in rear, plenty to do 2f out, good headway on inside over 1f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3f out
held up in rear, driven over 1f out, no chance
in touch, hard ridden over 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
pulled hard on outside of leading pair, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon headed and not pace of winner but kept on to hold 2nd
Willhego can follow up his recent course success at the expense of Bobby Charles, Obezyana, Danger Zone and Waterside. Willhego has won two of his last three starts, including over 12 furlongs here last week when he prevailed by the narrowest of margins from long-time leader Gibraltar Bay. That was off a rating of 71, and he can actually race off a pound lower mark here as he drops back to what is really a more suitable trip. He is due to go down six-pounds at the weekend, so there should be more success just around the corner. Bobby Charles has been absent since scoring in heavy ground at Yarmouth in October, but is reunited with Paul Hanagan, successful aboard John Scargill's charge here 12 months ago. Obezyana won narrowly over a mile here in November, and the trainer reckons that he is just the sort for the Winter Derby, so he will be all the better for his return, while Danger Zone let his supporters down when only fourth here at the weekend, but now has less weight, albeit in a grade higher contest. Waterside has never raced over 10 furlongs before and has topweight, so that leads us back to Willhego who is sure to go close under Hayley Turner.
Waterside (IRE) 10-3fav (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Pinchbeck (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Obezyana (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, going well, chased leader approaching final furlong, ran on under pressure to lead last stride, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov beating Mina A Salem (8-12) by a hd, 11 ran.
Bobby Charles 10-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct beating Toparudi (8-3) by a hd, 11 ran.
Crail 5-1 (8-5) Held up and behind, some headway over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 7th of 11, 5l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Willhego 12-1 (8-6) Prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, stayed on well to lead post, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Gibraltar Bay (8-13) by a shd, 15 ran.
Northside Lodge (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 7l behind Willhego (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Just Fly 14-1 (8-12) Prominent, every chance entering final furlong, no extra, 6th of 14, 2l behind Sir Haydn (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Danger Zone 3-1fav (9-2) Took keen hold, held up and raced wide, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong but not reach leaders, 4th of 10, 3l behind Alfridini (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
