tracked leader, led 2f out, came centre over 1f out, ran on, comfortably
in touch, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, never dangerous
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden 3f out headed 2f out, soon weakened
SPRUCE has really hit some decent form now and belies his pedigree, having proved his stamina over 1m 4f when winning here last time. He is taken to complete a hat-trick today, with Prince Charlemagne and Sitwell others short-listed. The last-named is blinkered for the first-time and represents Alan King. Recent efforts over hurdles have not been hugely encouraging, but he was good enough to win a Leicester claimer over 1m 4f in the autumn and is entitled to go very well at the weights, if the headgear has the desired effect. Prince Charlemagne will relish this trip, having scored over further on a couple of occasions. He acts very well here, though is slightly disadvantaged by the weights and that may just find him out. Quince has been tried at around this trip of late and does stay this far, though he struggles for any turn of foot, and preference is for Spruce. The four-year-old won an egg-and-spoon race at Southwell by a huge margin, but proved that it was no fluke when following up here over slightly shorter. He is up 6lbs again, but looks to have to scope to defy that and win once more.
Spruce (USA) 2-1fav (8-4) Tracked leader untill halfway, close up, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Gargano (8-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Mustajed 10-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakening when short of room over 2f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Bavarica (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f am hcp (0-70) (5) pol.
Quince (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Tracked winner until over 3f out, outpaced from 2f out, last of 3, 6l behind Doubnov (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 5f clm stks (6) pol.
Sitwell 6-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inner, went 2nd halfway, led well over 1f out, driven out, won at Leicester 1m 4f clm stks (5) gd in Oct beating Moscow Oznick (9-3) by 1l, 14 ran.
Sir Liam (USA) 7-2fav (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on, never near leaders, 5th of 13, 6l behind Carlton Scroop (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leader 5f, stayed in 3rd, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 5l behind Sinbad The Sailor (9-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
