took keen hold, held up in rear early, headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead final half furlong and always holding on afterwards
chased leader, lost 2nd over 4f out, soon in rear, tailed off final 2f
led, 6 lengths clear after 2f, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra final half furlong, beaten when eased near finish
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor, tailed off final 2f
tracked leader over 4f out, driven over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, always just held
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
Jimmy Quinn gave Vortex a fine ride when he was successful here six days ago and he is selected again, ahead of Red Spell and Kindlelight Debut. The selection seemed to appreciate the step up to a mile last time out, however he is equally effective over this slightly shorter trip and Gay Kelleway's course and distance winner will not mind if the race becomes tactical. The long absent Cupid's Glory is an interesting runner, but he was withdrawn from the race that Vortex won and so doubts must arise about his current well-being. Savannah comes over from Ireland, and at just three years old will be open to improvement, but he has shaped like a middle distance horse and so cannot be truly fancied. Red Spell and Kindlelight Debut both ran in the same race as the selection, however neither was suited by the dawdling pace and so more can be expected assuming this is any better. However, the suspicion is that both horses need a mile or further to show their best and so unless one takes the race by the scruff of the neck, we could see the same result. With that in mind then, we return to Vortex as our idea of the winner.
Vortex 10-3 (8-12) Keen tracked leaders, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden and held on well, won at Lingfield 1m stk (4) pol beating Red Spell (8-12) by a hd, 4 ran.
Savannah 11-2 (9-5) Led, ridden straight, headed 1 1/2f out, soon outpaced, 3rd and no extra final furlong, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Nasafar (9-5) at Navan 1m 2f stk sft in Oct.
Cupid's Glory Evensfav (8-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2f out, hung left and chased winner over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Suggestive (9-2) at Epsom 7f lst stk (1) gd in Sept '05.
Fly By Jove (IRE) 17-2 (9-3) Dwelt, outpaced, 4th of 5, 16l behind Leopoldine (8-12) at Lingfield 5f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Red Spell (IRE) 5-4fav (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 4, hd behind Vortex (8-12) at Lingfield 1m stk (4) pol.
Kindlelight Debut 15-8 (8-4) Led at steady pace, quicken pace up 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, hung right final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Vortex (8-12) at Lingfield 1m stk (4) pol.
