raced wide, took keen hold, close up, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead narrowly just inside final furlong, headed towards finish
in rear, pushed along after 2f, driven 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never nearer
held up, wide into straight 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, under strong pressure
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd post
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, driven and stayed on to lead final strides
slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor
awkward start, slowly into stride, never a factor
led, ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
Plenty of the usual suspects on show here but we'll take them on with an unexposed three-year-old in the shape of FEMME DE FER who can score at the chief expense of Lithaam and The Geester. Clive Cox's filly has improved for stepping down to five furlongs in handicap company and looks well up to scoring off this mark at some point. It is a minor concern that her mark has gone up 3lbs of late yet she remains winless, however there seems plenty of room for improvement and a mark of 70 shouldn't prove too much in time. Lithaam is far more exposed than our selection but has been running consistently of late and rates a threat. The gelding is a solid performer for the grade and won well here back in October and a couple of pounds rise for taking second last time doesn¿t appear harsh so he's afforded plenty of respect, despite the feeling that he may have to give best to a younger sort this time. The Geester has been off the track since disappointing back in May but goes well on artificial surfaces and returns to a mark from which he was a close second here prior to that. If his able trainer has got the horse fit for this reappearance this one could go well at a price, as might Fromsong who is actually weighted to beat Lithaam this time and may be sent off a much bigger price than that rival. The admirable veteran is approaching 12 years old now though and will do well to take what is a competitive enough contest. Decider has solid credentials as he's only gone up a pound for taking second on his last two starts, the first of which was over this course and distance, and with the trainer's runners going reasonably well he's not overlooked lightly. Bo McGinty is another regular in these types of event but he's not looked like a winner waiting to happen of late and looks worth opposing, as does Kyle who looks weighted to run well but has done all his winning over further. With the others looking up against it here ready preference is for Clive Cox's improving filly Femme De Fer.
Femme De Fer 5-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, driven and stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Edith's Boy (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Lithaam (IRE) 6-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, led well inside final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Lord Of The Reins (8-11) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 33-1 (7-11) Held up, pushed along and kept on towards finish, never near leaders, 5th of 14, 4l behind Nickel Silver (9-3) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Decider (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, strong challenge throughout final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Buy On The Red (9-4) at Lingfield 5f sell stks (6) pol.
Kyle (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sister Clement (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Fromsong (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Lord Of The Reins (8-11) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 8l behind Forever's Girl (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
The Geester 5-1fav (9-4) Prominent, ridden and no extra final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Loose Caboose (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in May.
Ten Down 16-1 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 8l behind Lord Of The Reins (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Love You Louis 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along and unable to quicken over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Absa Lutte (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
