dwelt headway to tracked leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, ridden halfway, soon weakened
made most, joined over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, gamely
in touch, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on, not trouble leaders
in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
A rejuvenated TEMPLE ROAD landed a double with a course and distance success on his latest start. A further 7lb rise makes this tougher but he beat Picansort, Ohsosecret and Zipedeedodah easily enough last time. Last month's winner Snow King failed to cope with a rise in the weights over 6f here during the week while Ask The Guru and Billy Red are both capable on their day but it's hard to predict when that will be.
Temple Road (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-3) Tracked leading pair, 2nd on inside travelling well inside final 2f, led just inside final furlong, pushed clear, ran on well, won at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Rocket Rob (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Ask The Guru 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened halfway, 10th of 13, 8 1/4l behind Silverrica (9-3) at Sandown 5f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Picansort 9-2 (9-5) Held up in 5th, pushed along halfway, headway on wide outside over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Temple Road (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Billy Red 33-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 30 1/4l behind Seychelloise (9-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Zipedeedodah (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up in 6th, never on terms, last of 8, 7 1/2l behind Temple Road (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Ohsosecret 6-1 (8-13) Started slowly and lost many lengths, behind, plugged on but never able to recover, 5th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Temple Road (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Snow King (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Hamis Al Bin (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.