soon tracked leader, ridden, led narrowly just over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, lost 2nd towards finish
held up towards rear, good headway and no clear run over 1f out, squeezed through, led well inside final furlong, driven out
behind, good headway wide over 1f out, ran on well final furlong to take 2nd towards finish, not quite reach winner
pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden, effort over 1f out, not quicken, weakened rapidly final furlong
held up mid-division, lost position on inner and last 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, effort entering final furlong, ran on
held up in rear, ridden, headway wide over 2f out, effort over 1f out, not reach leaders, one pace
Nonrunner
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Newnham, Bobby Charles, and Bazelle and the tentative vote is given to Bobby Charles. The selection was a fair third behind Willhego last time out. That form has since been franked and as he looks sure to strip fitter here he looks the one to be on. Newnham rates the main danger as he has been in the form of his life of late but he continues to rise in the weights and this his toughest assignment to date and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Bazelle is another worthy of respect on his best form but he has yet to prove he is effective over this trip and he looks opposable on that basis. Of the remainder Wise Owl has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price but he is becoming hard to win with and for the winner we return to Bobby Charles.
Bobby Charles 11-2 (9-1) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, driven to chase leaders final furlong, stayed on to press for 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Willhego (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Wise Owl 4-1 (8-1) Pulled hard, soon tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sri Diamond (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Barry Island 12-1 (8-5) Held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Karaoke (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (D2) pol in Dec '04.
Gingko 20-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear, never nearer, 8th of 14, 7l behind Zalkani (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Bazelle 9-2 (9-1) Mid-division, headway 3f out to chase leaders, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Compton Eclipse (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Zalkani (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Danger Zone (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Island Rapture 16-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on, 7th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Farewell Gift (8-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Just Fly 14-1 (8-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Blue Patrick (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Alekhine (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out, 10th of 14, 9l behind Zalkani (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Newnham (IRE) 5-2fav (8-4) Led 1f, always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Desperation (8-3) by a nk, 12 ran.
