chased leaders, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon rallied, just failed
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, just held on
tracked leader, took keen hold, weakened over 2f out
with leader, outpaced over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, soon weakened
led, took keen hold, hung left under pressure over 1f out, soon headed, rallied inside final furlong, no extra
BERT THE ALERT edges it at the weights and won a handicap over C&D in October. He had one of his bad days at Kempton last time but dropped in class today, he should have just have enough to take care of Resplendent Alpha if back to his best. The latter usually runs his race at this level and the C&D winner makes more appeal than the modest Anychanceofabirdie while it's impossible to make a serious case for either Bravo Belle or Carlton Scroop.
Bert The Alert 9-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 23l behind Daffydowndilly (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Resplendent Alpha 5-1 (8-13) Dwelt in rear, headway on inner over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Zenarinda (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Bravo Belle (IRE) 100-1 (8-1) Always behind, last of 9, 16l behind Brocklebank (9-0) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 66-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 37l behind Roughlyn (9-6) at Lingfield 2m am hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Anychanceofabirdie (USA) 25-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Super Say (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol.