in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened final furlong
always prominent, led over 1f out, strongly challenged inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
in touch, driven and every chance over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied and every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
always behind
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, never dangerous
always behind
Withdrawn
A very competitive handicap to start proceedings and after much consideration Flamboyant Lad is given the nod, ahead of Larkwing and Bendarshaan. The Barry Hills trained colt was very naive at the start of last campaign, but gradually grew in confidence and ended the season with a hat-trick of victories. He was struggling on the soft ground on his final outing, but still managed to beat Big Moment in a tight finish. He could be even better this year and looks the one to beat this afternoon. Larkwing goes well at this time of year and following a few poor runs in the autumn he is now down to a decent mark and should be involved in the finish. Mark Johnston' Bendarshaan also catches the eye in the bottom half of the handicap. He wasn't beaten far behind Carte Diamond in a hot event at Doncaster on his final run last term. That was on soft ground, but his best efforts have been on a firmer surface and he will relish today's conditions and should be capable of making the frame. Lets Roll was a consistent performer last season and looks best of the others, but Flamboyant Lad has more scope for improvement and gets our vote.
Camrose 12-1 In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 15, 10l behind Massif Centrale at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (C1) gd in Oct.
Tartouche 10-3 Held up, headway 6f out, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind La Sylphide at Haydock 1m 3f fll hcp (C1) hvy in Sept.
Zeitgeist (IRE) 8th of 12, 19l behind Liquido at San Siro 1m 6f lst stk hvy in Oct.
Top Seed (IRE) 25-1 Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind Counsel's Opinion at Doncaster 1m 4f stk gd.
Wait For The Will (USA) 12-1 Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 11l behind Camrose at Kempton 1m 4f stk (C1) gf in Sept.
Secretary General (IRE) 14-1 Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 14th of 20, 12l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
Flamboyant Lad 13-2 Held up, headway from 4f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (C1) sft in Oct beating Big Moment by a hd, 19 ran.
Larkwing (IRE) 12-1 Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on but no impression, 7th of 17, 6l behind Vinando at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (C1) gd in Oct.
Bendarshaan 20-1 Prominent and pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 24, 6l behind Carte Diamond at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (B1) sft in Nov.
Lets Roll 14-1 Raced in rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 4th of 15, 2l behind Massif Centrale at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (C1) gd in Oct.
Dance World 25-1 Held up in rear, passed beaten horses final 2f, 6th of 8, 9l behind Cold Turkey at Kempton 2m hcp gs in Mar.
Bestam Always towards rear, never near to challenge, 14th of 15, 19l behind Baaridd at Abu Dhabi 1m lst stk gf in Nov '03.
Silver Silence (JPN) 40-1 Keen early, tracked leader to over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 8, 32l behind Cold Turkey at Kempton 2m hcp gs in Mar.
Le Tiss (IRE) 25-1 Chased leaders ridden over 3f, weakened over 2f, soon eased, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Lost Soldier Three at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (B) sft in Aug.
Another Choice (IRE) 10-1 Behind, some headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 13th of 20, 11l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
