made all, ridden clear over 1f out, comfortable
towards rear, wide and headway over 2f out, no impression on winner from over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd post
tracked leading pair, chased winner halfway, lost 2nd post
always in rear
slowly into stride, always in rear
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased winner to halfway, weakened 2f out
keen, held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
The closing contest should concern three horses, with TEMPLE FAIR chanced to beat Wedding Dream and D'Urberville. Mark Johnston's gelding showed little in three starts as a juvenile, but he's bred to be a smart performer at three and can prove himself well-treated off a mark of 57. Of course, it's something of a leap of faith to put forward one who makes his handicap debut having shown no real form, but he's related to Group One winning three-year-olds and on pedigree this surface won't be a hindrance. In addition, the yard remain in top form and so with what should prove a lenient rating we fancy Joe Fanning to guide this one home in front. Wedding Dream sets the standard judging by her comfortable success when last seen. That course and distance success prompted a 13lb rise in the ratings but she did look to have plenty in the tank, so with a small break to freshen her up since, she should make a bold bid to defy the handicapper's efforts. D'Urberville will need to settle better if he's to score but has a declining handicap mark to help him get competitive. He took second behind one of Johnston's last time so that yard should know where they stand and on the face of it Shane Kelly's mount needs to take a step forward here. Red Valerian Two should be capable of better but on what we've seen so far can't be recommended as a bet, but he should still improve past Lady Cavendish who looks modest at best on what we've seen. Little Meadow is another handicap debutant to note in the market and holds Penderyn on their meeting last time, whilst Lord's Seat hasn't got anywhere close to winning in 10 attempts. Temple Fair is selected to step up on his maiden form and defy what could prove a lenient mark.
Wedding Dream 20-1 (8-1) Made all, flashed tail and wandered under pressure from over 1f out, kept on well, won at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec beating Tealing (9-2) by 6l, 10 ran.
D'urberville 7-1 (9-3) Led early, prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Ostentation (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Temple Fair (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Chased winner until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 31l behind Database (9-0) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Red Valerian Two (IRE) 100-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, hard driven over 2f out, soon no impression, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Ming Master (8-8) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs.
Lady Cavendish (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Held up, never dangerous, last of 12, 14l behind Mary Helen (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Little Meadow (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, wide into straight over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 8, 7l behind Lily Lily (9-0) at Southwell 1m 2yo fll mdn aut (5) std in Dec.
Lord's Seat 40-1 (7-8) With leader, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 10l behind Comradeship (9-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Penderyn 33-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Lily Lily (9-0) at Southwell 1m 2yo fll mdn aut (5) std in Dec.
