prominent over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracking leaders over 3f out, soon pressing winner, lost 2nd 1f out, kept on
(restricted comments due to poor visibility) in lead over 3f out, driven inside final furlong, just prevailed
racing keenly towards rear over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division over 3f out, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, strong challenge, just denied
in rear over 3f out, well beaten over 1f out
mid-division over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, not troubled leaders
chasing leaders over 3f out, not quicken well inside final furlong
in last over 3f out, soon well behind
held up in rear over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, never on terms
Nonrunner
They've saved the worst until last here, but something has to win and we'll nominate COCKTAIL PARTY in hope rather than expectation over Admiral Bond and Meikle Barfil. John Hills' filly is hardly prolific but does have a more consistent profile than most and, with today's five furlong test set to suit, she might be able to gain her second career success off a mark of 49. Admiral Bond's sole victory came at Southwell but he's a couple of pieces of form here that suggest a small race may come his way and so, with in-form Tom Eaves booked to ride, he rates the chief threat to our selection ahead of Meikle Barfil. Milton Bradley's charge hasn't scored since March of last year and whilst recent form figures don't inspire he's had a few things go against him, most notably when trapped wide throughout last time. North South Divide is still a maiden and looks opposable, although surely at some point connections will find a race for their gelding off such a lowly rating. Triskaidekaphobia was suited by getting a soft lead when victorious on his penultimate start but he was well held last time and looks to have had his day for now, Triumphant Welcome is surely better over six furlongs and the veteran Taboor looks to have fallen out of love with the game. A bigger threat then may come from Head First who could go well at a price, his second to subsequent scorer Elusive Ronnie back in November reading particularly well, although he's disappointed since and will need to bounce back. Prolific Italian scorer Albero Di Giuda hasn't had that many chances over the minimum on these shores and is worth a market check, but with the likes of Stoneacre Pat and El Potro having been beaten out of sight recently this looks best left to a consistent sort, and our take on that is Cocktail Party.
Triskaidekaphobia 11-1 (8-11) Led early, pressed winner until ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 9l behind Rocket Ruby (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Albero di Giuda (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon driven and weakened, 9th of 11, 10l behind Orangeleg (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Dec.
Head To Head (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Outpaced and always in rear, 7th of 9, 11l behind Lujiana (8-5) at Southwell 5f app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs.
Cocktail Party (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Topcroft (9-1) at Kempton 6f app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Dec.
Admiral Bond (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Dwelt, behind, ridden and stayed on towards finish, never nearer, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Mr Funshine (8-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Gleaming Spirit (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 9l behind Glamorous Spirit (9-0) at Lingfield 5f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Meikle Barfil 25-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace, 6th of 7, 6l behind Silver Prelude (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Triumphant Welcome 7-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 8l behind Angle Of Attack (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (7) fbs in Dec.
North South Divide (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 19l behind Orangeleg (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Dec.
Taboor (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) In rear, never nearer, 10th of 15, 7l behind Rosie Says No (9-2) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Oct.
El Potro 14-1 (8-8) Went right start, chased leaders on outside, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 14, 27l behind Angle Of Attack (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (7) fbs in Dec.
Stoneacre Pat (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Prominent, hung right over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 12l behind Rocket Ruby (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Magic Glade 66-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, not clear run twice over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Rocket Ruby (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
