slow into stride, raced far side outpaced, ridden halfway, not trouble leaders
prominent centre, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
taken to post early, close up centre, headway 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, driven out, gamely (hand time)
tracked leaders centre, ridden and hung left approaching final furlong, driven to challenge inside final furlong, held towards finish
raced far side, led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
Thegreatestshowman went close here a fortnight ago and found one too good again at Lingfield yesterday. Giogiobbo missed the break when a beaten favourite here last time though finished in front of Dark Shot when beaten only a neck over track and trip earlier. NIGEL NOTT (NAP) ran into trouble in a tougher sprint than this at Lingfield recently but had been in good form before that. He handles the surface and gets another chance back in this lower grade given Mick Appleby’s yard has won the last two renewals. Penelope Queen has won once in eight starts in Italy and debuts for a new yard.
Nigel Nott 7-1 (9-2) Raced wide in touch in rear, pushed along 2f out, never a factor, last of 7, 2 1/2l behind Royal Birth (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Penelope Queen (9-1) 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind The Conqueror (9-6) at Capannelle 6f Grp 3 gd in Nov.
Thegreatestshowman 5-1 (8-13) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, always just held, 2nd of 5, hd behind Zapper Cass (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Giogiobbo 9-4fav (9-6) Awkward start, soon chasing leaders, driven over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 8th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Centurion Song (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Dark Shot 7-1 (9-4) Off the pace in mid-division, headway near side of group chasing leaders over 1f out, kept on towards finish, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Mulzim (9-5) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.