stood in stalls and refused to race
held up on wide outside, driven along over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, good headway on inside well over 1f out, disputing lead and every chance inside final furlong, ran on but not pace of winner
chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
towards rear, hung right on bend and reminders 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression
led, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, headway going well over 1f out, chased leading pair inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
chased leaders, pushed along well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, good headway to outside over 1f out, strong run to lead inside final furlong, quickened clear
DIVINE FORCE is our selection in this fiendishly competitive race with Fandango Boy and Defector others noted in the market. Michael Wigham's charge is speedily turned out again after dotting up at Wolverhampton on Monday. On that evidence, the handicapper is likely to thump him by far more than the bare 6lbs that he will today. Fandango Boy has won at Dundalk previously. Ian Williams yard are in fair form at present so he should not be dismissed. Defector races as if one of these races will drop into his lap at some stage but it is becoming a pricey pursuit to keep the faith. Celtic Sovereign won on debut. He won a maiden at Kempton in emphatic style and the assessor was set a real conundrum. Rubenstar represents the resurgent Pat Morris yard and has to be respected. Hayley Turner is riding particularly well at present so her presence on Shaded Edge might just inspire him to go one better than the place he has finished on three of his last visits to Lingfield. Trade Centre is useful in plating events though has struggled outside of that sphere. Divine Force has to be the call.
Grand Vista 100-1 (9-4) Started very slowly and virtually refused to race, last of 15, 36l behind Axiom (9-4) at Goodwood 7f stks 0-95 (2) gd in Jul.
Spiritual Art 16-1 (9-0) Never reached beyond mid-division, pushed along on outside 3f out, and soon struggling, last of 12, 12l behind Totally Focussed (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Defector (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) With leader, led over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Lord Fidelio (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Celtic Sovereign (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Steady start, soon switched right, held up in rear, headway and squeesed between horses over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec beating Peponi (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Fandango Boy 7-2 (9-6) Held up in touch, tracked leaders over 2f out, soon driven, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 4l behind African Cheetah (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Shaded Edge 4-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along well over 2f out, led 1f out, edged right, headed post, 2nd of 9, ns behind Rubenstar (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Justcallmehandsome 12-1 (9-1) Pulled hard in touch, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 7l behind Prince Of Thebes (9-0) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Rubenstar (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Mid-division, smooth headway over 1f out, ran on to lead post, won at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol beating Shaded Edge (9-4) by ns, 9 ran.
Trade Centre 11-4fav (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader and soon every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven and headed final 50 yards, lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Red Somerset (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Divine Force 4-1fav (8-6) Mid-division, headway 3f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Weet A Surprise (8-9) by 1l, 13 ran.
