held up, switched right and smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, pushed out final furlong
took keen hold behind leaders, led 3f out, headed 2f out, soon beaten
held up, ridden along over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden to lead briefly 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden along, one pace until weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Night Prospector gets the tentative vote here, with Magic Glade and Magic Amour just two others in with chances. The selection was given a calm and patient ride by usual pilot Tolley Dean in a similar contest ten days ago, and with the step up in trip no problem he must hold solid claims. Paul Blockley's Magic Amour is consistent in these races but after failing to win a seller last time out, he cannot be strongly fancied today. Magic Glade takes a drop in class after struggling off his revised mark since winning a month ago here at Southwell so must be feared, especially from his plum draw. Soba Jones is consistent but usually finds at least one too good, whilst Native Title is respected dropping in grade. He has won these contests in good style before when previously taking the drop so must rate one of the main dangers, however we will stick with Night Prospector to go in again.
Magic Glade 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 2f out to just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Distinctly Game (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Native Title 50-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Harry Up (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Branston Tiger 12-1 (8-12) Held up, always in rear, 8th of 9, 12l behind Cool Sands (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Soba Jones 11-4co-fav (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Owed (9-8) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Winning Pleasure (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Chased leader until over 2f out, 7th of 9, 8l behind Cool Sands (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Night Prospector Evensfav (9-8) In touch, squeezed through to lead inside final furlong, ran on, cosily, won at Lingfield 5f clm (6) pol in Jan beating New Options (8-9) by 1l, 6 ran.
Magic Amour 10-3 (8-13) Prominent, ridden to lead 1f out, soon headed and one pace, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bessemer (9-4) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Jan.