fluent into stride, recovered to leader after 1f, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, pushed along 4f out, driven 2f out, beaten when hung left final furlong
tracked leading pair, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, soon found nil
took keen hold, held up in touch, headway 2f out, carried head high, led inside final furlong, pushed clear
in rear, pushed along 5f out, driven and outpaced 3f out, no danger to leaders after
raced in 4th, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
led for 1f, pressed leader, led over 4f out to 2f out, weakened over 1f out
This looks competitive on paper with Fringe, Monets Masterpiece and King's Ransom all worthy of respect but the vote goes to the last named. King's Ransom caught the eye last time out when finishing second to Call My Bluff over ten furlongs. This extra two furlongs will suit as he looked a little one paced in the closing stages that day. For his age he is still lightly raced so improvement is still on the cards so for that reason he is a horse to look out for in the future. Fringe will have his supporters after his previous form. He ran well to finish second of twelve at Wolverhampton back in November and will come here fresh. He will improve and is one to note in the market. As is Monets Masterpiece who although still a maiden after eleven attempts never knows how to run a bad race. His recent form has close ties with the selection as King's Ransom finished just in behind Monets Masterpiece on his last run but with weights now in the selections favour the form should be turned around.
Hi Fi 8-1 (9-13) Prominent, reminders after 11th, weakened approaching next, tailed off, 6th of 9, 42l behind Touch Closer (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec (N.Hunt).
Kates Guest (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Towards rear early, progress halfway, 6th approaching straight, ridden and weakened, 13th of 14, well behind Attercliffe (9-9) at Navan 1m 2f stk hvy in Oct.
Art Investor 10-3 (9-0) Close up, chased leaders 2f out, no impression over 1f out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Mighty (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol.
King's Ransom 7-1 (9-3) Close up, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Call My Bluff (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol.
Sky Walk 66-1 (9-3) Always in rear and tailed off final 3f, last of 14, well behind Profitable (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (4) pol in Sept.
Ausone 25-1 (9-6) Mid-division, lost touch and weakened over 4f out, tailed off over 3f out, 12th of 13, well behind Hotel du Cap (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (4) pol in Sept.
Orphina (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2f out, kept on again inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Revolve (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in Dec.
Arctic Shadow Bonny Scot gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Arctic Spirit & winning hurdler Bill Brown.
Monets Masterpiece (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Call My Bluff (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol.
Fringe 22-1 (8-11) in touch, effort 2f out, no extra inside last, 4th of 13, 4l behind Pearl Sky (8-11) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f 3yo fll in Dec.
