slowly into stride, always towards rear, eased when beaten over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
disputed lead, chased winner from 4f out, ridden 1f, weakened inside final furlong
in touch on inside, chased leaders 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out
behind, ridden approaching final furlong but never nearer
slowly into stride and always behind
chased leaders, ridden and effort on outside 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
behind, effort 2f out, beaten 1f out
Our shortlist has to contain Willheconquertoo, Wicked Uncle, Vlasta Weiner and Hadath, but the vote goes to Kensington. The selection has to be ruled in here, not least because he has won three of his last six races. Ok, he's been raised four pounds for the latest of them but, under a fair rider and from a very good draw, he can remain competitive. Willheconquertoo now races from a seven pounds higher mark than for his course and distance win of December 2nd, and ran reasonably well from today's mark when fourth to an arguably well-handicapped runner in Bessemer (who will by now have run from a revised mark in the opening race on the card) last time. Million Percent has not won for two years but holds place prospects based on his Lingfield spring form, but Wicked Uncle, who has won here, is well-handicapped based on his 2004 Turf form and, even though all of his career wins have come at five furlongs, he was just a neck behind Willieconquertoo over course and distance on December 10th and is now a pound better off. Vlasta Weiner keeps rising in the weights but it is hard to rule out a course winner that has won two of his last three races, while the lightly-raced Hadath still looks reasonably weighted based on April Lingfield form, even from out of the weights. However, Kensington, a recent improver in cheekpieces, gets the vote.
Harry Up 9-1 (9-4) Led early, prominent, led over 1f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Wessex (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Willheconquertoo 4-1fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 13, 4l behind Bessemer (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Million Percent 10-1 (9-3) Led early, chased leaders, squeezed through to lead again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 4th of 13, 2l behind Mystic Man (9-3) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol.
Vlasta Weiner 13-2 (9-6) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 8l behind Lucius Verrus (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs.
Acorazado (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Always in rear, 12th of 13, 17l behind Ronsard (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Kensington (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and ran on inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Whippasnapper (9-0) by a shd, 14 ran.
Hadath (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and no progress from 2f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Ever Cheerful (8-13) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Wicked Uncle 11-2 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Bessemer (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
