held up in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer
reared start, slowly away, raced wide, held up in rear, never troubled leaders
keen, held up, ridden and ran on final furlong, edged left near finish, not reach winner
chased leader, led 2f out, clear 1f out, ridden out
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer
pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, soon one pace, hampered near finish
close up, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f
led 5f, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and outpaced approaching 2f out
Midmaar rates as good value in a tricky little contest where Cool Sands, The London Gang and Claws also make the shortlist of leading contenders. Claws - winner of a Fairyhouse maiden before joining Alistdair Lidderdale - showed improved form to score at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago and, as she still has scope to progress over this trip, she has to be respected. James Doyle helps her cause with his 5lb claim and a bold bid is expected from the daughter of Marju. The London Gang is in good heart and is also worthy of consideration for a place. However, he faces no easy task under a 6lb penalty for winning a seller at Dunstall Park last week and, with his previous efforts on Lingfield's All Weather track leaving a lot to be desired; he needs to pull something out of the hat today. Cool Sands appreciated the drop back to seven furlongs at Southwell 10 days ago and has to be a threat from just a 4lb higher mark. Dane O'Neill is riding with plenty of confidence at the moment and, having twice won on the gelding already, everything looks to be in place for a bold attempt from his mount. Nevertheless, the lightly raced Midmaar edges preference on this occasion. The Ex-French gelding returned with a vengeance to win a Banded Stakes at the start of November and, having been allowed plenty of time to recuperate, he would have very little to find to better that performance. The trip is not an issue with this son of Cape Cross and it will come as no surprise to see Midmaar take this slight step up in class in his stride.
The London Gang 16-1 (9-5) Soon in mid-division, headway when not clear run on inside 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol beating Mustammer (8-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Mountain Pass (USA) 5-1 (9-6) Held up, headway when not clear run well over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Bessemer (9-6) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Cool Sands (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs beating Haroldini (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Hotchpotch (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, tracked leaders until lost over 4f out, 9th of 13, 13l behind Scutch Mill (9-1) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol.
Claws 25-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, not much room 5f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol beating Cree (9-3) by a nk, 11 ran.
Night Wolf (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Pressed leader, led 4f out, headed 2f out, weakened rapidly final furlong, 13th of 14, 8l behind Generator (8-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Humility 7-1 (8-5) Behind, short-lived effort on inside over 1f out, 9th of 14, 5l behind Generator (8-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Midmaar (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, led approaching final furlong, held on near finish, won at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Nov beating Task Complete (8-9) by a nk, 12 ran.
