chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
led 1f, chased leader, ridden to lead again over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, not much room over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent, soon lost place, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
in touch, lost place over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
behind, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one paced inside final furlong
Hollow Jo, Doctor¿s Cave and Saraaf are the three to consider here and Hollow Jo is taken to complete the hat-trick. Doctor¿s Cave has only one win to his credit but belied his odds of 50-1 when finishing a close second to Mystic Man in a claimer last time. That was an improved performance but whether he can re-produce it is open to conjecture. Sarraaf was twice a winner last year and is thoroughly consistent. Ian Semple¿s charge was a close third last time but although you can see him going well again, he may just need to come down the weights to win. Hollow Jo was at one time rated in the 70s on Turf and therefore of a mark of 60 despite a recent hat-trick at Lingfield he may still be well handicapped. Hollow Jo can keep the winning run going.
Sarraaf (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up, headway on inside 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Risk Free (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Doctor's Cave 50-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Mystic Man (9-5) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol.
Hollow Jo 7-4fav (8-13) In touch, ridden and headway 2f out, chased leading pair final furlong, driven and ran on to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Soft Focus (8-12) by a hd, 11 ran.
Taminoula (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, not quicken, weakened at 1f out, 8th of 10, 5l behind Shade Cozy (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Sweet Namibia (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 7l behind Kensington (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Captain Darling (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Led until headed over 2f out, weakened under pressure over 1f out, 8th of 11, 9l behind Border Edge (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Soft Focus (IRE) 9-4fav (9-1) Dwelt, soon prominent, every chance final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Dispol Isle (8-13) at Southwell 7f fll hcp (5) fbs.
Hand Chime 10-1 (8-8) Led early, prominent, keen, ridden when carried slightly left over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Kindlelight Debut (8-12) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
