close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
ran wide, tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out until over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened towards finish
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
in rear, ridden 3f out, kept on, never on terms
wide, mid-division, headway to chase leader over 1f out, ridden to lead final strides
tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed final strides
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
In a really decent seven furlong handicap TIDDLIWINKS won well enough last time to suggest he can land a four-timer and we think he can at the expense of course and distance winner Mr Willis while Autumn Blades should never be ruled out. Pushed out for his easy success under a penalty last time the pick is given another six pounds extra to carry here. We suggest he would have won that last race under this revised mark so we don't feel the need to oppose this time. That said Mr Willis is on top form at present and has an excellent strike rate over course and distance. He didn't quite last home on his first attempt over a mile last time so back at his favoured trip he rates as a real danger despite up slightly in the weights. Autumn Blades only ever just does enough when winning as he has done so on his last two efforts. There was a lot to like about the way he held on last time at Kempton especially with his jockey putting up six pounds overweight so his latest mark rise is not that harsh. Imprimus Tagula bounced back to form last time and looks a likely choice for the places but after such a decent score last time Tiddliwinks is the pick
Ebraam (USA) 5-1 (8-12) Slow into stride, soon held up in mid-division, came wide into straight, headway when ridden and hung left well over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Matsunosuke (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Raced wide, in touch, ridden halfway, effort over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tourist (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Cyflymder (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 20, 6l behind Collateral Damage (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Nov.
Tiddliwinks 10-11fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, good headway and switched right to inside over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed along and ran on strongly, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Vhujon (8-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
Autumn Blades (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 1f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, driven and stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 7f hcp (0-90) (3) pol beating Wigram's Turn (9-4) by hd, 13 ran.
Mr Willis 13-2 (8-10) In touch, headway to track leader 2f out, led well over 1f out, pressed when bumped by winner over 1f out, headed 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Splinter Cell (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
The Scorching Wind (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon hung left under pressure, not reached leaders, 3rd of 13, hd behind Elna Bright (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Bravo Echo 5-2fav (9-4) Took keen hold, chased leader, pushed along to lead over 2f out, kept narrow advantage when strongly pressed throughout final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Indian Skipper (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Seasider 25-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to take 3rd post, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Autumn Blades (10-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-90) (3) pol.
Carcinetto (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Behind over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Vainglory (8-8) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
