tracked leader, ridden along halfway, soon behind
in touch, ridden to lead 3f out, headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon beaten
steadied at start, held up in rear, smooth headway to lead well over 1f out, shaken up and quickened clear, comfortably
A very weak race and a tiny field; if My Mate Granite wins then Michael Wigham should have no case to answer but we'll tentatively side with LADY LONGCROFT. Jeff Pearce's filly sets the standard here having been a runner-up on her three starts to date and earning herself a mark of 60. Her recent run at the track was below-par but the winner looks a much different animal and it would be no surprise to see her win this affair. Like Jeff Pearce, Michael Wigham has his yard in good form and he saddles My Mate Granite here. He must have had his problems as it is only as a four-year-old that he made his debut on the track. He was well-held over 13 furlongs at Great Leighs but he should have learnt from that run and this son of the decent dirt horse High Yield is expected to improve for this surface. Galley Slave has been exposed as extremely moderate, whilst Bering De Lauriere has not shown much over hurdles and he was well-held in a recent Lingfield claimer. A terribly weak race and Lady Longcroft is taken to get off the mark.
Bering de Lauriere (FR) 100-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 19l behind Media Stars (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f clm (6) pol.
My Mate Granite (USA) 50-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 28l behind Anfield Road (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 5f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Dec.
Galley Slave (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 16l behind Samurai Warrior (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Lady Longcroft 13-8fav (8-12) Held up, ridden along over 3f out, stayed on towards finish, had no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 13l behind More Time Tim (9-3) at Southwell 1m mdn aut stk (6) fbs in Jan.
