soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, gradually weaken
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, not quicken and weakened quickly over 1f out
held up behind mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress
behind mid-division, good headway 1f out, finished well on outside to take 2nd close home
steadied start, held up in rear, steady headway from over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to gain on leaders near finish
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, headed close home and soon lost 2nd
tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, kept on final 2f, never near leaders
tracked leaders after 2f, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge, stayed on one pace
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
mid-division, good headway approaching final furlong, ran on and quickened to lead close home
held up behind mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
in touch, weakened and lost touch over 2f out
This is a poor contest in terms of quality but competitive and what can only be a tentative vote goes to the consistent ARDENT PRINCE, who gets the verdict over Just Jimmy and Mister Trickster. Robin Dickin's gelding has run well in his last two starts, both at Kempton, and has every chance if able to reproduce that form here. Kargan has gone close in his last two visits here and should again be thereabouts off what seems a fair mark. With Gay Kelleway's runners back in form, Bridge of Fermoy has to be considered but he needs to improve on recent form, while Stark Contrast showed signs of a return to form last time and has to be respected. Just Jimmy was good value for his win here last time but this looks tougher and preference is for Ardent Prince, who is taken to resume winning ways.
Stark Contrast (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Led early, prominent, every chance over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, faded, lost 2 places close home, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Pab Special (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Ardent Prince 3-1fav (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, headway final furlong, kept on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Pab Special (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Bridge of Fermoy (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Prominent on outside, ridden over 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 16l behind All In The Red (8-9) at Kempton 1m clm (5) pol.
Kargan (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Alf Tupper (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, pulled hard, behind mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 8th of 13, 4l behind Bollywood Style (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
The Graig 16-1 (8-13) Slowly away, always in rear, 13th of 14, 25l behind Lytham (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Just Jimmy (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Held up, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Inka Dancer (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mister Trickster (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway under pressure on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Binnion Bay (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Hunt The Bottle (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, soon lost place, no danger after, 6th of 9, 6l behind Under Warranty (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Machinate (USA) 7-1 (10-13) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 7l behind March Mate (10-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol.
Ergo (FR) 66-1 (10-6) Close up until weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Prince Rhyddarch (10-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f amt hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
To Bubbles 28-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Mudhish (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Arikinui 50-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden and close up over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Lady Aspen (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn fll (5) pol in Jan.
