soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied and stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong
raced wide, held up, headway to chase leaders 5f out, ridden and flashed tail over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up and hampered 9f out, ridden over 3f out, no impression, weakened 2f out
held up, edged left 9f out, towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leader until 8f out, remained close up, ridden 3f out, weakend approaching final furlong
held up, ridden 6f out, weakened over 4f out
close up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, lost place 8f out
close up, chased leader 8f out, led over 1f out, driven out
This should fall to recent winner Tycheros, with Dubai Ace and Moon Emperor the pick of the others. The Stuart Williams trained four-year-old has been in excellent form this winter and was gaining his third victory in five outings when beating Little Richard by a comfortable two lengths over course and distance. There is no reason why he shouldn't run his race again and he looks the best option. Dubai Ace hasn't been beaten far in his last four contest and steps up in trip today. It shouldn't be a problem as he stays much further over jumps. He looks a big threat to the selection as does Moon Emperor who ran well behind Prins Willem in a better contest last time out. Of the others we expect a good showing from Candarli, but Tycheros is the most consistent of these and he gets the vote.
High Point (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Made most to over 6f out, outpaced 3f out, no chance after, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Reggae Rhythm (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Moon Emperor 22-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and no impression from 2f out, 8th of 14, 5l behind Prins Willem (9-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Dubai Ace (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Led, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed challenging until no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 2l behind Taxman (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Candarli (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) In touch, headway 6f out, ridden and one pace final 3f, 4th of 11, 11l behind A Thousand Smiles (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Bravura 25-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, hard ridden 2f out, soon one pace, 6th of 14, 7l behind Tycheros (8-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Lord of Adventure (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 16, 16l behind Time To Regret (8-6) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Nov.
Honey's Gift 10-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 14, 8l behind Dafa (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f banded stk (H) pol in Mar '04.
Tycheros 11-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, stayed on, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Little Richard (9-4) by 2l, 14 ran.