held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, making progress when short of room over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish, just failed
led after 1f, pressed from 4f out, ridden and under pressure over 1f out, headed towards finish, no extra
slowly away, in rear, headway on outer over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, raced on outer from over 2f out, one pace
steadied start, held up in rear, headway on outer over 4f out, challenged over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up mid-division and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, just held on
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, soon pressing leader, ridden 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear and keen, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, soon weakened
led 1f and keen, pushed along 3f out,headway on inner over 1f out, soon weakened
It's almost three years to the day since WAVERTREE WARRIOR last tasted success so he wouldn't be one to steam in to, but even so the old boy looks the percentage call to take this from Ermine Grey and Musashi. Our selection has been placed behind in-form and well-treated rivals the last twice and with nothing of that sort here compensation awaits. A mile around Lingfield is just about perfect for Nick Littmoden's gelding who is actually dropped two pounds for that solid second last time, so he can provide the yard with a welcome winner. Ermine Grey won off a higher mark on turf in the summer and ran well last time when a close-up fourth. He's dropped a pound and the yard remains in decent heart, so this nine-year-old rates the biggest danger to our pick. Musashi's sole career success came over course and distance, so it might pay to forgive this son of Hawk Wing a poor effort over seven furlongs last time. He's 8lbs higher than when victorious but has run well since and a return to Lingfield can spark an improved performance. Four of Prince Valentine's five wins have come at Brighton, so whilst he's won at Kempton his ability to perform to his best here has to be called into question. Off a 3lb higher park than when last successful, he's worth opposing alongside Batchworth Blaise who has been held in similar races of late and may be better at seven furlongs. Contrastingly Binnion Bay may want further, Sapphire Prince is a better animal on the turf although his all-weather mark reflects that and Amwell House races from out of the handicap. Nothing appeals as a strong fancy here but Wavertree Warrior is surely the most likely winner and gets our vote.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Tracked winner, ridden 2f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Grey Command (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Sapphire Prince (USA) 25-1 (8-5) Steadied in rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 6l behind Hereford Boy (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Musashi (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 12th of 14, 6l behind Guildenstern (9-0) at Kempton 7f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Ermine Grey 8-1 (9-1) Held up mid-divison on outside, headway to press leaders 6f out, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Naheell (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Batchworth Blaise 25-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 11l behind Erinjay (9-5) at Kempton 1m app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Jan.
Binnion Bay (IRE) 22-1 (8-5) Always in rear, ridden and struggling 3f out, 12th of 13, 5l behind Vinces (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Prince Valentine 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, edged right under pressure well over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 12l behind Hi Spec (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 14-1 (8-9) In rear, never troubled leaders, 8th of 13, 10l behind Isitcozimcool (9-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Amwell House 25-1 (9-8) Pulled hard early, steadied rear, always behind, 11th of 14, 14l behind Wunder Strike (8-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo stks (7) pol in Mar.
