keen early, held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner and edged left just over 1f out, edge left inside final furlong, ran on, just failed
held up, headway over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
prominent, went 2nd 6f out, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader until 6f out, remained prominent, led 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, just held on
led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
steadied start, held up in last, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on
In a tricky race for punters we give the narrow verdict to JUST OBSERVING ahead Hucking Heat and New Star. The selection returned after over 500 days off a racecourse to put in a really decent display to land a runners up spot at Great Leighs in a handicap last time. Rightly, he can be expected to come on from that run and with the form standing true and his mark now back level with his last winning rating he is well set to score. Hucking Heat struggled initially with a career high mark of 78 but is starting to come to terms with similar ratings perhaps showing this burden is within his scope. The lines from recent efforts are a little weak but he has a decent strike-rate at this track and needs to be considered. New Star is now back at a competitive rating but didn't take advantage of that fact last time. The form from that contest is ok a best but in this company he rates as a danger. Kestrel Cross and Princess Cocoa have shown at least some ability and will be challenging for minor honours but Just Observing should be just winning.
Scamperdale 11-1 (9-3) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 14, 5l behind Confidentiality (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Hucking Heat (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) In touch, chased leaders over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 10, 8l behind River Ardeche (8-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Princess Cocoa (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, well beaten well over 1f out, 6th of 7, 14l behind Dream of Fortune (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) std.
New Star (UAE) 13-2 (9-3) Chased leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Ahlawy (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Just Observing 28-1 (9-1) Led, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, hd behind Folio (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 13l behind Hucking Heat (10-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Kestrel Cross (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) In touch, pushed along when went badly lame over 2f out, soon pulled up pulled up in race won by Dream of Fortune (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) std, 7 ran.