in touch, ridden and lost place over 1f out, plugged on
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, fading final furlong
raced on outside, switched to inside 2f out, no impression
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on
in touch, ridden along over 2f out, kept on well, to lead well inside final furlong
in touch, lost place 2f out
tracked leaders, edging left when lost place over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, fading when headed inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ran on strongly from over 1f out, not reached winner
with leader, ridden and every chance approaching 1f out, weakened quickly
When there is so little quality in a race it's often hard to make a case for any of the field and this time we marginally find the chances of last time out winner MEIKLE BARFIL the strongest ahead of Green Velvet and Admirals Way. The pick took that victory over seven furlongs but is just as effective over this all out sprint trip. The obligatory six pound penalty has been assigned but his margin of success suggested he can handle the extra burden. Green Velvet is still a maiden after seven starts but looks as if her mark is getting more realistic and she has been narrowly beaten by better horses than she faces here. Her last effort off this rating was promising and she enters calculations. Top weight Admirals Way dumped his maiden's tag on his last run over a furlong longer and has been rewarded with a five pound rise in his mark. He's been competitive off higher but recent efforts suggest that it might be too much over the minimum trip. Ishibee finished ahead of the pick on his last start and should be competitive again on these terms while also behind him that day was Affirmatively who has at least won over this trip and is getting towards a competitive mark again. Not the best race then but something has to win and we choose Meikle Barfil.
Admirals Way 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, challenged going well 2f out, nudged along and kept narrow advantage when pressed throughout final furlong, won at Kempton 7f app hcp (6) pol beating Flamestone (8-4) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Magic Glade 14-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 13, 9l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Head To Head (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden halfway, held when short of room over 1f out, 10th of 12, 6l behind Argentine (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Meikle Barfil 7-2jt-fav (9-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, edged right and soon clear, won at Kempton 5f stk (7) pol beating Lady Hopeful (9-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Green Velvet 4-1fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed final 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Davids Mark (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Bahamarama (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Outpaced, always behind, last of 7, 11l behind Desperate Dan (9-6) at W'hampton 5f clm (5) pol.
Titus Gent 50-1 (8-0) With leader, led over 2f out, narrowly headed 2f out, stayed challenging until faded and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 13, 1l behind Admirals Way (8-11) at Kempton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Ishibee (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to lead and hung right over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Ramblin Bob (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Affirmatively 10-1 (8-4) Dwelt, soon mid-division, pushed along and headway over 1f out, effort and switched left inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Ramblin Bob (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Rightcar Lewis 20-1 (9-3) Behind, headway under pressure on inside over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Meikle Barfil (9-3) at Kempton 5f stk (7) pol.
