held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, held up, ridden and went wide from 3f out, no chance when hung left over 1f out
prominent, lost place over 6f out, progress over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, edged left and led just over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra
ridden along soon after start briefly, joined leader over 6f out, led 4f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened over 1f out
An ultra-competitive handicap can fall to Habalwatan, with Alfredian Park, Chookie Hamilton and Eau Good heading the shortlist. None of these can effectively be ruled out, but Habalwatan comes into the race in fine form and looks the one to side with. His wily trainer has sent out a few winners this winter and despite a 7lb rise for his last win, this horse looks progressive and may take some catching. He has the plum draw from which to gain a good pitch to track the leaders, and assuming that there is a true pace to the race, he looks to hold major claims. Another with leading claims is Ian Semple's Chookie Hamilton who is another horse with a progressive profile and he looks sure to be involved in the finish. However we will pass him over as a penalty for that win could anchor him just a tad too much. New Beginning was behind Chookie Hamilton but he isn't as progressive and it is doubtful whether the turn around in the weights will see him any closer. Alfredian Park won his only start over course and distance last month, and could rate the main danger if improving on that fine effort. He could be better than this mark of 79, however he is hard to truly fancy in this tough race especially from the widest draw so we will take him on and return to Clive Brittain's Habalwatan as our idea of the winner.
Eau Good 9-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, effort to chase winner approaching final furlong, soon hung left, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Circus Polka (8-9) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (4) fbs in Dec.
Habalwatan (IRE) 13-8jt-fav (9-7) Held up rear, in touch, headway to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, comfortably, won at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Don't Desert Me (8-5) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Alfredian Park 7-2 (9-3) Raced keenly, always prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec beating Snow Dancer (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Highland Harvest 10-1 (8-10) Held up, effort 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol beating Mastership (9-3) by 1l, 5 ran.
New Beginning (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort to chase leaders 3f out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Chookie Hamilton (8-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Chookie Hamilton 7-2 (8-0) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol beating New Beginning (8-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Leonard Charles 17-2 (8-7) Led to 2f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, outpaced from 2f out, last of 7, 9l behind Boscobel (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Beech Games 9-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden to chase leading trio 3f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Mastership (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Bold Saxon (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Bumped start and always behind, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Chookie Hamilton (8-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
