chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, ran on
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
led, headed just over 1f out, soon edged left, no extra
with leader, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway on inside well over 1f out, close up when not clear run and hampered entering final furlong, not recover
A smallish field but an interesting race nonetheless and we will take the bang-in-form Desert Leader to complete the hat-trick, with Crail, Missatacama and Bazelle short list material. The selection is clearly on the upgrade and improved on last month's course and distance success to defy a 3lb rise here last time in even better style. A further 8lb will be more of a test, but he travels well, is drawn nicely and looks the one to be on. Crail caught the eye when running on well here last time and has won at the track, though a 2lb rise for not winning won't make this any easier. Missatacama had every chance at Lingfield last time but was well held in the end and may just have a touch to much weight, though she can still be competitive, while Bazelle won an poor maiden here and will need to improve a fair bit. But Desert Leader is in fine form and can complete the hat-trick.
Crail 8-1 (8-13) Behind, headway on inside 2f out, switched right just over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, shd behind Trifti (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Desert Leader (IRE) 9-4fav (9-4) Always prominent, led just inside final furlong, soon ridden, ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating El Chaparral (9-2) by 2l, 11 ran.
Missatacama (IRE) 7-2 (8-9) Held up last, headway on outside from 3f out, chased winner 2f out, driven over 1f out, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Mizz Tee (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Boo 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 10l behind Ryan's Future (9-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Blue Trojan (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and lost place over 3f out, headway and outside 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Trifti (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Bazelle 5-1co-fav (8-9) In touch, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, kept on well, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating John Charles (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Toshi (USA) 11-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, switched left over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Trifti (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Zalkani (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Started slowly towards rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 6th of 12, 5l behind Llamadas (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.