led ridden 3f out, driven and headed over 2f out, soon beaten
held up, headway over 2f out, hung right and kept on final furlong
held up, never troubled leaders
tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly over 2f out, soon driven and weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, driven and one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out when short of room, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out until no extra, headed and no extra inside final furlong
Quite a valuable handicap to round off the card and the vote goes to SPINNING ahead of Just Bond, Murfreesboro and Direct Debit. The selection was a winner at the track when last seen, running on strongly late on to win well. He has been put back up in the weights to a mark of 76, but having won off this mark before it would be a surprise were he not to run well. Jawaab has held his form well this season, The Kiddykid is fairly treated on old form, whilst the consistent trio of Murfreesboro, Just Bond and Follow The Flag should all run their race, despite the last-named racing from just out of the weights. Direct Debit rates a big danger; Mark Wellings' gelding has won two of his six all-weather starts and finished in front of Murfreesboro last time. He is however held by the selection on their November clash and so it is Spinning who can land the finale.
The Kiddykid (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Mister New York (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Just Bond (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-3) Held up in last, headway 2f out, 5th entering straight, came towards stand's side from over 1f out, 2nd and ran on one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Supercast (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Murfreesboro 5-1 (9-6) Held up, raced keenly, headway over 2f out, hung left and went 2nd well inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Direct Debit (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Bee Stinger 20-1 (8-13) Held up, impeded when effort 3f out, never a threat, 7th of 11, 8l behind Basra (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Apr.
Direct Debit (IRE) 11-4fav (9-0) In touch, pulled out slightly right over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon edged left, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Nov beating Murfreesboro (9-6) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Spinning 7-1 (8-10) In rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, soon edged left, ran on to lead near finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov beating Morbick (8-10) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Jawaab (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance well inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Spinning (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Silver Hotspur 40-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Spinning (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 9-4fav (8-12) In touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance, kept on to take 2nd final strides, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Millfield (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.