tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd post
led to post, raced very slowly away, raced freely and wide throughout, no better than mid-division, weakened 2f out
slowly away, ridden to chase leader after 1f, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
keen, held up, ridden and headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards
held up in touch, effort entering final 2f, kept on one pace final furlong
towards rear, never near leaders
slowly into stride, towards rear, never near leaders
always in rear
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again final 50 yards
raced wide in touch, chased leader over 3f out until over 2f out
always in rear
There no getting away from the fact this is a very poor contest, but one of these has to win it so we go with VICTORY SPIRIT to get the better of Nikki Bea and Grizedale. The selection showed a bit of a return to form on only his second run of the season last time when landing second place of 11 over a longer trip at Wolverhampton. The form from the race has proved a little week but this one is still unexposed and could improve further. Ian Semple¿s charge was also a winner on the turf off a mark 20lbs better than he lines up with here. Nikki Bea has the factor of consistency on her side, which is often enough to land contests like this. Her last win came back in May 2007 over course and distance and the subsequent dip in form and lowering of her mark hasn't helped to get back to the winner's enclosure since but a couple of placings in the last three efforts could add to her chances in this affair Grizedale was competitive off marks in the high 80s in his heyday but has found life tougher as the handicap of age has set in. A few recent performances have shown he is still competitive at this lowly level and should be considered. Comrade Cotton must have each-way claims on his penultimate start but the vote to win it is in the possession of Victory Spirit.
Comrade Cotton 20-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always in rear, weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 13l behind Electric Warrior (9-4) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Silidan 12-1 (8-12) Steadied start, keen in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, never nearer, 10th of 12, 7l behind To Be Or Not To Be (8-9) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Afton View (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up, driven over 2f out, no impression on leaders, 7th of 11, 6l behind Bold Diva (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Nikki Bea (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Electric Warrior (9-4) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Grizedale (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Mister Thatcher (8-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Victory Spirit 20-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, still plenty to do 2f out, headway and hung left over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Wakita (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Franksalot (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Held up over 3f out, 10th entering straight, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 6th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Guildenstern (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Silver Spruce 7-2 (8-7) Held up, outpaced 3f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 12l behind Hoar Frost (8-3) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo clm (6) gf in Jun.
Spanish Ace 20-1 (8-7) Tracked leader after one furlong, brief effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Kindallachan (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Cavalry Guard (USA) 50-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, no further impression, 9th of 12, 14l behind Sabre Light (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Bad Moon Rising 33-1 (8-6) Took keen hold, in touch on outside, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakend well over 1f out, 9th of 11, 16l behind Saucy (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Black Draft 66-1 (8-5) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, last of 12, 32l behind Action Impact (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) gd in Aug.
