always behind
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon led, ridden out
held up mid-division, pulled hard, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, not pace of winner
tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, soon no impression
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, eased
held up towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, driven and headway over 3f out, soon hard ridden, weakened over 2f out
This is a decidedly difficult contest to assess, but perhaps FULL TOSS can land it from Dance The Star and Baylini. Our selection represents David Evans and has been in solid enough form of late. His last victory came in much weaker company back in December but this step up to a mile and a half should bring about a little improvement and his rating seems a fair one. Dance The Star was a shade disappointing last time but all three of his wins have come over this trip, so if able to bounce back from that rare below par display David Simcock's animal would be a threat to all along with top weight Baylini. Adam Kirby's mount had our selection behind her last time, but a 2lb pull might change that and the mare is winless since 2008. That said, she is solid for the grade and will rate the benchmark from which to gauge the form. Of the rest, intrigue surrounds both Silk Hall and Worth A King's. The last named was formerly in the care of Sir Michael Stoute and progressed well here when last seen on the level, but a higher mark makes life tougher and he's now with a yard whose goal may be to get their charge ready for future engagements over timber. Similar comments apply to Silk Hall who did well for Alan King last year and remains capable of progress, although the capable handler has suggested some of his horses are not fully fit owing to the problems caused by the recent cold snap. Blue Nymph arrives in search of a hat-trick but has an absence to overcome and may need a shade further, Paktolos won last time but faces tougher opposition here, whilst Premier Dane hasn't been seen on the flat for approaching four years and it remains to be seen how he gets on. Doubnov races from out of the handicap but could surprise a few now stepping back up in trip, but Full Toss represents the most likely winner of a competitive race and is selected accordingly.
Baylini 14-1 (8-10) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Bridge Of Gold (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Dance The Star (USA) 3-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, edged right and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 4l behind Mister New York (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Full Toss 7-2fav (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Bridge Of Gold (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Coeur de Lionne (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 23l behind Dirar (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Silk Hall (UAE) 4-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 6l behind Hendersyde (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Worth A King's 11-8fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, soon led, and ridden, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Dayia (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Blue Nymph 10-3 (9-3) Tracked leading pair, led over 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, kept on well, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct beating Dunaskin (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Premier Dane (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, never troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 5l behind Dansili Dancer (9-2) at Haydock 1m 2f fll hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug '06.
Paktolos (FR) 3-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led well over 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Calculating (8-6) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Doubnov (FR) 8-1 (9-3) Slowly away, held up in rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Chosen Forever (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
