rearing in stalls and hood removed late, headway on outside chasing leaders 6f out, led 5f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up off the pace towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead final 150 yards
led, 2f, chased leader until inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway between horses over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not reach winner
mid-division, headway halfway, went 2nd and every chance inside final 150 yards, no extra in 3rd near finish
outpaced in last pair, never a factor
raced keenly chased clear leading pair, closer over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 150 yards
slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden and weakened well inside final furlong
CRITICAL THINKING has been in excellent form around here, scoring for the eighth time on the track last month, and has won from higher marks than this. He had Nezar and Shine On Brendan close behind that day and should confirm the form but Inaam looks a threat as he goes well on the surface here and at Newcastle and came with a late run to snatch the spoils over 6f at Lingfield. No Diggity is up 5lb for a course and distance victory in November while Messalina finished last in first-time blinkers at Lingfield, though was only beaten a short-head in a track and trip maiden in October.
Plunger 16-1 (8-13) Rearing in stalls, well away, held up in mid-division on inside, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and beaten over 1f out,, 10th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Spartan Fighter (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Inaam (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Awkwardly away, towards rear, not clear over 1f out, switched right and ran on strongly to lead close home, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Vandad (9-7) by nk, 12 ran.
Treaty Of Dingle 17-2 (10-10) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway after 6th, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd before last, threatened briefly, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind To Fly Free (10-10) at Fakenham 2m fll (4) gd in Oct.
Reckless Endeavour (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Held up, shaken up over 2f out, ridden 2f out, kept on steadily inside final furlong but never landed a serious blow, 6th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Imperial Command (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Critical Thinking (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Sword Spirit (9-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Messalina (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Slow into stride, in rear, reminders over 4f out, never on terms, last of 14, 17 1/4l behind Mustaqqir (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Nezar (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Raced wide close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Sword Spirit (9-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
No Diggity (IRE) 16-5 (9-5) Went right start, in touch in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Angels Faces (9-1) by 2l, 7 ran.
Shine On Brendan (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, ran on, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Critical Thinking (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.