chased leader, hit 4th, lost 2nd 6th, stayed handy until weakened 3 out
took keen hold, soon chasing leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied to dispute moderate 2nd when blundered last
blundered 3rd, always in rear, well behind when fell 6th
keen hold in rear, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out
held up, headway 6th, chased leading pair under pressure approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, challenging and not fluent 4 out, led soon after, in command 2 out, stayed on strongly
in touch, ridden 7th, weakened after 4 out
held up, headway after 4 out, chasing winner but held when blundered 2 out, no chance after
led until narrowly headed soon after 4 out, chased winner until 3 out, weakened soon after
Gentle John can get back to winning ways in the finale, where Lindsay and Kayceecee are others that can go close if on song. Kayceecee does not win very often and been expensive to follow. That is not to say he lacks ability, though. And, as he now has the benefit of a seasonal run behind him, Henry Daly's gelding should not be underestimated. Lindsay, on the other hand, has been a good money spinner for his various connections and appeals as the best alternative to the selection. Today's ground will be in his favour and the top weight is very much respected. However, Gentle John has more scope for improvement and, with the drop to the minimum trip expected to bring the best out of him, the mount of 7lb condition rider, Josh Guerriero, makes the most appeal to round off the meeting at Lingfield on a high note.
Lindsay (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, improved 4 out, ridden to chase leader 2 out, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind No Greater Love (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Gentle John (FR) 11-10fav (11-5) Took keen hold with leader, led 3rd until 6th, chased leader, ridden approaching 5 out, gradually weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Captain Marlon (11-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Swift Half (IRE) 6-5 (11-0) Tracked leader, hit 7th, led after 3 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Taunton 3m nh mdn hdl (4) frm beating Gaelic Present (11-0) by 23l, 3 ran.
Albarino (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, tried to close front 3 out, soon ridden, no impression, 6th of 11, 13l behind Something Wells (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Kayceecee (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up, smooth headway from 8th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Something Wells (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Silver Inngot (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Mostly jumped well, tracked leader to 4th, stayed handy, challenged 11th, led 4 out, in command before last, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (E) gf in Apr '05 beating Jivaty (11-0) by 6l, 6 ran.
King Diamond (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, mistake 1st, blundered 7th, soon struggling, 5th of 7, 20l behind Lake Imperial (10-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf.
Zorro De La Vega (FR) 9-4 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 5th, led 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Eluvaparty (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f beg chs (3) gf.
Necker (FR) 17-2 (11-10) In touch until 8th, soon behind and pulled up 2 out in race won by Blandings Castle (10-2) at N Abbot 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May, 7 ran.
