mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
pulled hard in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, never nearer
slowly into stride, behind, headway from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, not run on
prominent, led over 3f out, clear approaching final furlong, driven out, readily
led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon lost place
A decent maiden can be taken by MONTEROSSO, while Darshonin and Mental Reservation are interesting opponents. The last-named represents a yard among the winners and makes his racecourse debut as a three-year-old. He increased in price from foal to yearling and is a half-brother to several winners at trips up to 1m 2f, so should be at home over this mile to begin with. He is sure to improve, but could go well today. Darshonin has been given a mark of 72 after three maidens so far, the most recent of which saw him only narrowly beaten sporting a first-time visor. The headgear is retained today and if proving as effective then with improvement possible he would have major claims. Christmas Coming showed some promise though beaten comfortably last time and now back over a mile is one to note in the market, while Blues Forever cost enough money and is related to a Group 1 placed two-year-old, so with David Evans' string in form he is also worth a look in the betting. Hazita is another bred to go well from around this trip up to 1m 4f, and adds more depth to the contest, where preference is for Monterosso. Mark Johnston has done well on his recent raids here from Middleham and this Dubawi colt showed improvement for his first run, and looks to have a fair bit more to come now stepped up in trip, which should be good enough to win here.
Blues Forever (IRE) Oratorio gelding out of Swiss Roll.
Christmas Coming 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden to go 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Licence To Till (9-0) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) std in Dec.
Colonel Henry 100-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 22l behind Lovers Causeway (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Darshonin 11-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 9, nk behind Fivefold (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Mental Reservation (USA) Dayjur gelding out of Theycallmecharlie.
Minortransgression (USA) 5-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, hard driven 2f out, ran on final furlong, never trouble leaders, 4th of 9, nk behind Fivefold (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Monterosso 5-2 (8-9) Led 1f, remained prominent, driven to challenge 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, shd behind Fivefold (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Hazita Singspiel filly out of Hazaradjat.
Luminosa 40-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 18l behind Ming Master (8-8) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs.
Scarlet Ridge 66-1 (8-12) Dwelt, towards rear, never trouble leaders, 10th of 11, 14l behind Hidden Glory (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.