held up, not much room over 4f out, ridden 2f out, soon no impression
in touch, pulled hard early, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
held up, never dangerous
held up mid-division, shaken off and headway approaching final furlong, kept on, never nearer
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
soon tracking leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
keen, soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on
chased leaders, smooth headway over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on
Cree has been in fine form this winter but could struggle to beat Black Oval who gets the nod here, at the main expense of Staceymac and Mon Petite Amour. The selection was given a bizarre ride when second last time out at Kempton and assuming that she copes with the step up in trip, she looks the one to be on. The draw shouldn't inconvenience too much as she likes to be covered up, and if avoiding trouble she can go in today. Cree ran well in defeat eight days ago and so is entitled to respect, however he is yet to win over the distance and so is taken on. As is Mon Petite Amour who was all-out to win a weak race last time out, and could struggle under a penalty for that victory. Perhaps of more interest could be Staceymac who steps up two furlongs in trip after making fairly hard work of winning a poor maiden. She is unexposed and could go well, however for the winner we return to Black Oval.
Staceymac (IRE) 2-5fav (8-12) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 2f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Kempton 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol beating Left Nostril (8-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Mon Petite Amour 10-1 (9-0) Held up, hampered after 1f, good headway 2f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Kempton 7f banded stk (7) pol beating Fun Time (9-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Kathleen Kennet 11-4jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakening when edging left, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Bowl of Cherries (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcap (6) pol.
Mind Alert 9-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on, 5th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cree (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcap (6) pol.
Black Oval 10-1 (9-1) Behind, headway and not clear run inside final furlong, switched and stayed on strongly, just failed, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Cool Tiger (9-2) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Burhaan (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 2nd of 12, shd behind Midmaar (8-13) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Jennverse 9-2 (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Binnion Bay (9-1) at Lingfield 7f banded stk (7) pol.
Cree 7-2 (9-3) Took keen hold tracking leaders, not clear run on inside and lost place 4f out, headway 2f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Vegas Boys (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
