prominent, ridden halfway, kept on same pace
always prominent, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
always prominent, led halfway, hung right inside final furlong, stayed on
always behind
soon outpaced, never on terms
prominent, ridden well over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
always behind
chased leaders over 3f, soon faded
led to halfway, gradually weakened
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, stayed on final furlong
This is a wide open handicap in which Smile For Us, Lucayos and Luloah rate as the main players with the vote given to Smile For Us. The selection has been running consistently well of late and he certainly deserves to win a race. He was a good second behind Diktalex last time out and a reproduction of that effort would make him hard to beat. Lucayos found trouble when finishing second behind Stoneacre Boy at Lingfield last time and with a little more luck today he could go close. Luloah has run well over course and distance before and he is sure to have his supporters with Frankie Dettori booked to ride. Mister Incredible ran well last time and looks to have a solid each-way chance, but for the winner we will stick with Smile For Us.
Otis B Driftwood 11-2 (8-10) Disputed lead until halfway, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind City For Conquest (8-12) at W'hampton 5f 3yo clm (6) pol in Mar.
Mister Incredible 6-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind Diktalex (9-4) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (6) fbs.
Lucayos 16-1 (8-7) Dwelt, hampered and lost place over 4f out, behind, wide into straight 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, took 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Stoneacre Boy (9-10) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
John Claude (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 8l behind City For Conquest (8-12) at W'hampton 5f 3yo clm (6) pol in Mar.
Smile For Us 6-1 (9-2) Chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Diktalex (9-4) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (6) fbs.
Luloah 40-1 (8-3) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Stoneacre Boy (9-10) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Chisom 8-1 (8-11) Went right start, outpaced, beaten halfway, 7th of 12, 13l behind Queen Cobra (8-9) at Southwell 5f mdn auc (7) fbs in Oct.
Tatstheticket 40-1 (8-9) Prominent, led just inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Thoughtsofstardom (9-3) at W'hampton 5f 3yo sll (6) pol in Jan.