dwelt, soon prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden, one pace final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent, ridden over 1f out, one paced final furlong
never a factor
led, ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, one pace final furlong
In this valuable sprint, we will side with Ok Pal ahead of Dancing Mystery and Desperate Dan. This race has justifiably attracted a decent line-up and, also, there are no less than seven course and distance winners in the field. Among them is Ok Pal and, much as he has been raised 12 pounds for two-successive wins, he cannot be ruled out of another good run, given that he is in such good heart. Even at 11 years of age, Dancing Mystery is respected, having won from an eight-pounds higher mark as recently as 12 months ago, and he was not far away in a valuable course and distance handicap last time up. He is respected, as is Desperate Dan, who is weighted to just get the better of The Lord based on his recent course and distance effort and, with the going less testing today than it was then, he could go well. Finally, will the six pounds that he is better off with the selection for three-and-a-quarter lengths based on recent form be enough for The Lord to turn the tables today? And we don't rule out Trinculo from bagging some money. Overall, though, we will stick with Ok Pal.
Ok Pal 9-2jt-fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, headway halfway, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec beating Anfield Dream (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Dancing Mystery 18-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Fyodor (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Glaramara 14-1 (8-8) Raced on outer, prominent until weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Presto Shinko (8-13) at Windsor 6f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
The Lord 7-1 (8-13) Always prominent, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating After The Show (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Zarzu 16-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden well over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 3l behind Foley Millennium (9-6) at Warwick 5f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Desperate Dan 7-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, soon headed, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 2l behind The Lord (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Trinculo (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2l behind Les Arcs (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Whinhill House 14-1 (9-4) Bumped start, soon pushed along to chase leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 10l behind The Lord (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Pawan (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, headway 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2l behind Wahoo Sam (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Maktavish 13-2 (9-7) Made all, clear halfway, pushed out final furlong, won at Southwell 5f app clm (6) fbs beating Native Title (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.