soon outpaced, no impression and slightly hampered inside final furlong
held up, ridden well over 1f out, headway and wandered inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, in rear, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong
made all, ridden clear approaching final furlong, unchallenged
slowly into stride, soon outpaced, always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, kept on, no impression on winner
chased winner, ridden well over 1f out, lost 2nd entering final furlong, faded
Silver Prelude, Compton Classic and Back In The Red make the shortlist and our pick is the first named. The selection managed to make all at Lingfield over five furlongs, and at a track that is conducive to that style of running, Dean Ivory's six-year-old could have all the answers to this particular puzzle. Compton Classic holds no secrets. Jim Boyle's charge had conditions in his favour at Kempton but it was a fair effort in a competitive race. Back In The Red put up a below par run last time out but had won over course-and-distance previously so it would be folly to disregard him on one bad run alone. Almaty Express has pace to burn although winning has proved difficult of late . Fizzlephut may need to come down the weights a little while Desert Opal, who is not short of early pace, is watched in the market. A tight sprint and Silver Prelude is the recommendation.
Back In The Red (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Behind, ridden and outpaced final 2f, never dangerous, last of 8, 6l behind Silver Prelude (8-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Compton Classic 12-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up, good headway on inside 2f out, led over 1f out, in command final furlong, comfortably, won at Kempton 6f clm (6) pol in Nov beating Quiet Times (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Stolt (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and hung left over 1f out, no impression, 10th of 13, 6l behind Curtail (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Desert Opal 9-1 (9-2) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden and hung left, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Tony The Tap (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Silver Prelude 7-1 (8-9) Made all, held on well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Azygous (8-11) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Bold Minstrel (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Behind in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 10l behind Hereford Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Silver Prelude (8-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Almaty Express 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 6l behind Tartatartufata (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.