slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, kept on one pace
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
in rear, never a factor
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
raced wide, close up, ridden and weakened 2f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
in rear, never near leaders
tracked leader until 2f out, soon weakened
No fewer than five of the 12 runners in the field for this handicap were winners last time and every one of the quintet has claims but it is GRACIE'S GIFT, who was a good winner at Southwell last time that gets the vote to follow up having been raised just 4lbs for that success and he is preferred to Landucci and Lopinot. Martin Bosley's gelding is closely matched with recent Lingfield winner Woolston Ferry and there should not be much to choose between the pair on their recent runs. Mark Brisbourne's Lord of The Dance has been running well but looks harshly treated having been raised 5lbs since finishing second in a maiden last time. James Given's Bentley has been performing creditably without winning and should be thereabouts again, while Mick Quinn's Zeffirelli has a lot more to do than when belying odds of 50/1 over course and distance last time. Sean Curran's Landucci, successful at Chepstow when last seen in August, has to be considered for his in form stable on his reappearance but Gracie's Gift, who goes particularly well at Southwell but has run well here before, can score again.
Lord of The Dance (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Behind, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Lord Fidelio (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec.
Landucci 9-1 (9-8) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 75 yards, won at Chepstow 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug beating Waterside (9-4) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Lopinot (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden and hung badly left to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Royal Envoy (8-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Chief Red Cloud (USA) 22-1 (8-5) Towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 16l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Foreign Investment (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Mid-division on outside, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 10l behind Scary Movie (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Woolston Ferry (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Close up, effort over 2f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar beating Lopinot (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Bentley 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, carried right 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Equinity (8-8) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Gracie's Gift (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar beating Fulford (9-1) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Zeffirelli 50-1 (8-10) Led, headed 3f out, chased leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar beating Spinning Ridge (9-4) by hd, 11 ran.
December 10-1 (8-10) Tracked leading pair, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Teen Ager (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Location 8-1 (8-11) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, short of room over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 9l behind Resentful Angel (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Many Welcomes 20-1 (8-2) Towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 15, 10l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
