pressed winner, ridden well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
in rear, headway well over 1f out, soon edged left, edged right inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, pulled hard, weakened entering final furlong
broke well, always prominent, chased winner over 2f out until ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong to take 2nd close home, not troubled winner
made all, ridden final furlong, ran on well
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway under pressure entering final furlong, never nearer
held up towards rear, never near leaders
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, always in rear
MISTER THATCHER is preferred to This Ones For Pat and The Geester. This Ones For Pat did win well last time but his previous form is only moderate and he has been drawn in the car park so he is not one to be lumping on at a short price. With this in mind we are nominating Mister Thatcher who has a better draw and he followed a good run at Dundalk with a decisive success at Lingfield last time out. The Geester finished fourth behind Swallow Forest last time out at Southwell and he is well drawn for one that likes to be ridden up with the pace. He could go well along with Whiskey Creek, who has the plum drawn and he scored well last time. Mister Thatcher gets the narrow vote in a tight race.
Whiskey Creek 3-1 (9-0) Made all, led, ridden and quicken 2f out, stayed on under pressure, weakened close home, just held on, won at Kempton 6f stk 0-55 (6) pol beating Welsh Opera (8-9) by a nk, 8 ran.
This Ones For Pat (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Dwelt, towards rear, soon chased along, headway 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 5f hcp (6) fbs beating Mystickhill (9-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Diminuto 12-1 (8-6) Chased leader over 2f, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 5l behind Grand Palace (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
The Geester 5-1 (9-1) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed final furlong, no extra inside, 4th of 13, 4l behind Swallow Forest (8-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Monte Major (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance 1f out, no extra and one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind River Kirov (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Sarah's Art (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, not clear run from 2f out, hampered 1f out, soon eased, 10th of 12, 12l behind Mister Thatcher (8-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Mister Thatcher (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, headway to lead over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol beating Mind Alert (8-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Tadlil 12-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Double Carpet (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f app hcp (6) pol.
Hollywood George 5-1 (8-9) Towards rear, running on when not clear run inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Greek Secret (8-7) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Vanatina (IRE) 11-1 (8-5) Dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 12, 4l behind Mister Thatcher (8-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Dynamo Dave (USA) 25-1 (8-8) Chased leader, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 16l behind Alf Tupper (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Bespoke Boy 66-1 (8-11) Prominent 3f, last of 12, 15l behind Sands Crooner (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Socceroo 4-1fav (9-1) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 15, 7l behind Metal Guru (9-6) at Beverley 5f fll hcp (6) gf in Jun.
