held up in last place, ridden over 3f out, plenty to do 2f out, kept on final furlong, never a factor
held up, headway to track leaders 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
in touch, wide and effort to chase leader over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
led after 1f, headed 10f out, led again over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong
led 1f, led again 10f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in rear, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders,ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Dropped in the weights since his Southwell claimer run last time, RESPLENDENT ACE is suggested to win from a mark of 70 now back in a handicap, while Prince Charlemagne and Cold Turkey can both go well for Gary Moore. The latter pair both have course winning form, with Prince Charlemagne scoring here over two miles and 1m 4f in the past, but he is taken on from today's mark which just looks a shade too high. Cold Turkey is a course and distance scorer who is now 23lbs below his most recent success, which came here 25 months ago. He remains on the slide and is hardly one to trust with the mortgage money at present. Sumani has gone up in the weights for a decent Kempton effort last time and does go well here, but the impression gauged is that the handicapper is in control, and we will side with Resplendent Ace. Paul Howling's gelding has never won here yet, but he does act at the track and stays at least this far. He is back on a decent mark again now and we will just give him the nod.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 8-11fav (9-6) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 4th of 5, 16l behind Three Boars (8-13) at Southwell 1m 6f clm stks (6) fbs.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 2-1fav (9-9) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Star Choice (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Soundbyte 6-1 (9-10) In touch, tracked winner 5f out, ridden to press winner from over 2f out, driven, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, nk behind Royal Trooper (9-8) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Nov.
Sumani (FR) 11-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Rowan Tiger (8-12) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
Sensible 9-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, chased leader over 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Anfield Road (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 5f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec '08.
Mr Plod 4-6fav (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway and never dangerous, 7th of 10, 6l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Alternative Choice (USA) 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened approaching 2f out, 8th of 10, 18l behind Carlton Scroop (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Extremely So 9-2 (10-5) Towards rear, switched right, headway over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Court Princess (10-13) at Lingfield 2m am hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Cold Turkey 14-1 (9-6) Led after 3f, headed over 8f out, led again over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 10, 10l behind Star Choice (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.