prominent, ridden along over 3f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
always rear division
towards rear, headway 3f out, driven over 1f out and kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, never a factor
held up, ridden along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, some late headway, never reached challenging position
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along over 3f out, effort when weakening over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, driven to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
prominent, driven to lead well over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, kept on
steadied at start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Another trough race here for punters with very little between many of the runners but something has to win and the principals look to be Apache Fort,Kalasam and Pretty Demanding and the tentative nomination is given to Apache Fort. The selection beat War Of The Roses last time out, remains on a fair mark and under conditions that suit he looks a value bet. Kalasam rates the main danger on his best form but he is rising in the weights for getting beaten and he looks vulnerable under top weight. Pretty Demanding goes well fresh so could go well at a price but he has been done no favours by the draw. Dan Tucker is another that could go well on his latest second behind Perfect Reward but the suspicion is he may need the run after a 187 day break. Of the remainder Hill Billy Rock is sure to have come on for his latest run and is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we are happy to return to Apache Fort.
Kalasam 3-1 (9-6) Prominent early, held up, headway over 2f out, hung left well over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, nk behind Boz (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Pretty Demanding (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression from 3f out, 15th of 18, 20l behind Rockys Choice (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp 60-92 gf in Oct.
Sporting Gesture 8-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon one pace, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Hernando's Boy (9-7) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Nov.
Apache Fort 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, headway to chase leader 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating War of The Roses (9-5) by a nk, 8 ran.
Dan Tucker 8-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, driven to chase winner final furlong, no impression, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Perfect Reward (9-1) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Hill Billy Rock (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, hung left and kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 11, 11l behind Pertemps Networks (8-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Ainama (8-7) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sept.
Pee Jay's Dream 13-2 (8-5) Prominent, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, regained lead briefly inside final furlong, headed close home, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Puy d'Arnac (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
