led after 1f to over 2f out, gradually weakened
behind, headway inside final 2f, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
settled in rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not reached leaders
raced keenly in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven clear
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, kept on towards finish
towards rear, shaken up well over 1f out, headway and stayed on steadily final furlong without troubling leaders
tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, pressed entering final furlong, soon headed and outpaced by winner
behind, headway over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd entering final furlong, no extra, weakened final 100 yards
led 1f, stayed tracking leader, lost 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out
This looks wide open, but we think CHALICE WELCOME can land the spoils, ahead of expected challenges from Middle of Nowhere and Zalkani. He's Neil King's only runner on the card, and won a similar event here last week, before being turned out under penalty at Wolverhampton where he came second. Expect him to be held up for a late burst. Zalkani is one of five other course and distance winners in the field. His latest and eighth success here was in a similar race just after Christmas, and the Jeff Pearce yard is banging in the winners on a regular basis. He's joint top weight, but isn't giving much away, and is one of the track's most consistent performers. Middle of Nowhere is the least exposed, but showing improvement in each of his runs to date, and market support would be encouraging. A competitive contest between plenty who've been in the winners' enclosure before, but today we think first home will be Chalice Welcome.
Siena Star (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Soon chasing leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden and lost 2nd well over 1f out, gradually weakened, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Millie's Rock (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Zalkani (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Behind, headway on inner and effort over 1f out, kept on, not reached leaders, 5th of 12, 2l behind Sunset Boulevard (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Our Kes (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway to dispute 2nd place over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Risque Heights (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Old Romney 15-8fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, no impression 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 14, 8l behind Sky Quest (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Media Stars 17-2 (9-4) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 12, 5l behind Alf Tupper (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Chalice Welcome 7-4fav (9-3) Held up, good headway 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Ridgeway Jazz (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Bid Art (IRE) 80-1 (8-7) Steadied start, always rear, ridden over 3f out, never a factor, last of 14, 15l behind Can Can Star (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Middle of Nowhere (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Led and set steady pace, ridden and quickened over 2f out, headed 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Annabelle's Charm (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol.
Barton Sands (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Held up, pushed along 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not pace of leading pair, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Can Can Star (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Alfredtheordinary 14-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 10l behind Cherri Fosfate (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Muraco 16-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 14, 11l behind Kings Topic (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Broughtons Flight (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inner, hung left and not look keen over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to press for 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Chalice Welcome (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Generous Lad (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-7) In touch, pushed along 3f out, no impression final 2f, one pace, 7th of 12, 5l behind Little Carmela (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Royal Choir 12-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden along halfway, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 11l behind Formidable Guest (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
