held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up, good headway from over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
always prominent, chased winner over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, led 3f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon clear, hung right under pressure inside final furlong, ran on
always behind
led until 3f out, soon weakened
Alpine Reel is the pick over the likes of Speedy Sam, Baan and Punta Galera. Alpine Reel has been in good form at Wolverhampton since returning to action in October, not being out of the first three in any of his three outings at the midlands track. He will have no problem handling this course, and his style of running will help, as he likes to fly home from just off the pace. He still looks fairly treated despite a rise in the weights, and should go close from stall four, with regular rider Adam Kirby to guide him round. Speedy Sam is another that has been a model of consistency, having only been out of the first three once in nine career outings. Karl Burke's charge did not get the clearest of runs on his all-weather bow at Wolverhampton, and in receipt of weight from the selection, can prove a danger. Baan showed signs of a return to form when third at Southwell and is better handicapped on the all-weather than Turf, while Punta Galera has had just the one run here, but gets weight off all, so is another worth a mention. For the winner we return to Alpine Reel.
Kindlelight Debut 33-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 1l behind Nayyir (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Keen hold, tracked leaders, led over 6f out to approaching 2f out, weakened quickly, 13th of 14, 8l behind Nayyir (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol.
Psychiatrist 5-2 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Putra Sas (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol in Jan.
Alpine Reel (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Chased leader after 1f, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Del Mar Sunset (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Baan (USA) 11-2 (9-7) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind St Savarin (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Speedy Sam 9-2 (9-0) Led for 1f, chased leaders 3f out, carried right over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Cimyla (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (4) pol.
Regal Royale 25-1 (8-6) Held up and always in rear, 12th of 13, 13l behind Areyoutalkingtome (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Punta Galera (IRE) 11-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leading pair 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Sweet Indulgence (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.