led, clear over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on
held up well in rear, headway on outer, over 1f out, nearest finish
mid-division, headway on inside 4f out, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, ridden along over 4f out, gradually weakened
held up in rear, never dangerous
held up mid-division, never dangerous
in touch, chased leader 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and stayed on
close up 9f
behind, headway over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
close up, ridden over 4f out, no impression final 2f
ridden to be prominent, driven 5f out, weakened over 3f out
steadied start, keen, always in rear
chased leaders 9f
In a fascinating contest The Pen is chosen ahead of Tiegs and Experimental. The selection is very well treated on her best form and should come on for a recent effort at Wolverhampton, her first for five months. She was beaten a long way in that event but it was over too short a trip and she will be seen to better effect over this mile and a half. Tiegs landed a course and distance seller last time out and still looks on a fair mark, despite the better class of company. Experimental may be thirteen years of age but still has plenty of ability as he has shown on his last two visits here. He may need to drop a little bit in the handicap before winning again, but may still be fighting for a place. The pick of the others could be Mossman Gorge, but the one that stands out at the weights is The Pen and she gets our vote.
Mahmjra 66-1 (9-12) Led early, chased leader until 8f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 8th of 12, 49l behind Share The Feeling (9-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Nimello (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Always in rear, 10th of 13, 23l behind Street Life (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Mossmann Gorge 8-1 (8-8) With leader, led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 18l behind Atlantic Gamble (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll hcp (6) pol.
The Pen 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden when hampered over 2f out, soon lost place and hampered again, 11th of 12, 15l behind Desert Hawk (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Mi Odds 66-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up behind, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 10, 11l behind Paso Doble (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Newcorp Lad 40-1 (8-7) Led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Pop Music (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Bolckow 8-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Twist Bookie (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Experimental (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Global Strategy (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs.
Dispol Peto 13-2 (8-8) Prominent, ridden when weakening over 2f out, 9th of 11, 16l behind Wodhill Be (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Hereditary 25-1 (9-12) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 13, 33l behind Ganymede (9-12) at Kempton 2m banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
Tiegs (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, headed over 1f out, stayed on to regain lead near finish, won at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs beating Dream Forest (9-4) by a hd, 8 ran.
Faraday (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 38l behind Street Life (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Rood Boy (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-5) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, driven and led post, won at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Dec '05 beating Surdoue (9-0) by a hd, 12 ran.
History Prize (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind No Greater Love (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs.