prominent, led well over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up behind, headway well over 1f out, kept on
broke well, led, headed over 3f out, one pace
slowly into stride, behind, outpaced, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well
mid-division, behind from over 3f out
with leader, led over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, kept on same pace over 1f out
towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway well over 1f out, kept on same pace
SIMPSONS GAMBLE is the tentative vote to land the second division of the amateur riders handicap with both Smirfys Systems and Taboor worthy of mention. The selection ran well enough when finishing third to Joss Stick at Lingfield last time out. He does not win as often as he should but we feel he is still weighted to win races and if recapturing his best he ought to go close. Smirfys Systems is eight pounds higher since winning here over seven furlongs last time out. That was his first run in ten months so he ought to come on for the outing so any market moves should be noted. Taboor showed a return to form when second at Lingfield last time out. He is more than capable of being competitive off his current mark but at the age of eleven he is getting no younger in age, so for the winner we return to Simpsons Gamble.
Smirfys Systems 8-1 (8-7) Made all, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Dec beating Mystic Roll (8-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Simpsons Gamble (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, every chance, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Joss Stick (8-12) at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner well over 1f out until one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Downhill Skier (9-0) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Spirit of Coniston 12-1 (8-5) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cosmic Destiny (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Hunt The Bottle (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon ridden to go mid-division, driven halfway, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 21l behind Blue Charm (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Muktasb (USA) 14-1 (8-7) In rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Spic 'n Span (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Diminuto 50-1 (8-8) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, 9th of 11, 12l behind Downhill Skier (9-0) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Our Fugitive (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and carried head high from over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 8l behind Lithaam (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Afton View (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, 6th of 12, 2l behind Head To Head (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs.
Briery Lane (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Outpaced, always towards rear, 7th of 8, 10l behind Whiskey Creek (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Taboor (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd 1f out but no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind The Magic Blanket (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Arfinnit (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, 8th of 10, 9l behind Hollow Jo (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Balerno 20-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, headway and ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 14l behind Highly Regal (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.