held up towards rear, headway and outside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not reach front pair
held up in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden to chase leader just inside final furlong, driven and stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
led to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd 7f out, led over 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, headed well inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon struggling
behind, made some late headway, never dangerous
chased leader to 7f out, stayed prominent, went 2nd 2f out, soon ridden and driver dropped reins, one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
KIRSTYS LAD comes here in good form and this course and distance winner gets the vote ahead of Liberty Valance and Eternal Optimist. Mike Mullineaux's gelding ran well in defeat at the track last time out when running over the seven furlong trip. Back up to this extended mile, a trip that he won over in October, he is fancied to return to winning ways with plenty in his favour. In a weak race, the main danger may be Liberty Valance if his stamina holds out as he steps up in trip. Alexander Guru is a course winner, along with Follow The Flag, whilst Eternal Optimist is still a maiden but she ran well in defeat last time out. At a price Distant Piper needs a check in the betting coming across from Ireland for this modest prize, but it is Kirstys Lad who can win again.
Distant Piper (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden and lost place 4f out, 9th of 12, 8l behind Red Lily (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) std.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, hard driven headway over 1f out, kept on same pace approaching inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Billy Red (8-10) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Liberty Valance (IRE) 13-8 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 9l behind Deal Flipper (8-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo clm (6) pol in Aug.
Hit The Roof 33-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden 4f out, lost place over 3f out, tailed off, last of 9, 28l behind Tenjack King (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Alexander Guru 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, driven and stayed on final 2f, never going pace to challenge, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Epidaurian King (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Kirstys Lad 11-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, driven 3f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Gramm (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Soon ridden, never troubled leaders, 11th of 12, 15l behind First Swallow (9-3) at Beverley 5f mdn stk (5) sft in Aug.
Eternal Optimist (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, hung right over 2f out, came wide entering straight, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Plush (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Felicia 16-1 (8-9) Held up and keen, plugged on towards finish, 6th of 10, 6l behind Gramm (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Lady Charlemagne 33-1 (8-11) Bumped start, took keen hold in rear, no headway final 2f, 7th of 11, 7l behind Charming Escort (9-2) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
