held up behind leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, brief effort over 3f out, soon weakened
led, shaken up 2f out, headed approaching 1f out, one pace
held up, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, kept on
held up and keen, steady headway from over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace and hanging left final furlong
Nonrunner
Melpomene is selected ahead of Flame Creek and Tranquilizer. Mark Johnston's filly won eyecatchingly on Friday at Lingfield when reeling in the useful Eva Soneva So Fast, and on that evidence, the handicapper is likely to reward her with a huge push up the ratings. Racing off a 6lb penalty, there could be more to come so a chance is taken while the iron is hot. Flame Creek has belied his years to take advantage of a favourable rating on the level. The ten-year-old is in good heart at the moment but the handicapper has had another chance to look at him and has elected to give him another 9lbs for a recent success. Tranquilizer goes well here although she seems fated to find one too good regardless of what trip she is tried over. Adam Kirby replaces Eddie Ahern in an attempt to work the oracle. Heathyards Pride is fully exposed but is worthy of some respect in this affair as Reg Hollinshead's stable are in fair form at the moment. Quince has been well punted on each of his last two outings over course-and-distance but was well held on the most recent of those and could be vulnerable to an improver. Dance World and Tous Les Deux have it to do in order to be competitive. A good race ion which Melpomene is taken to continue with her improvement through the grades.
Flame Creek (IRE) 3-10fav (10-1) Held up behind leaders, led 3f out, pushed clear 2f out, easily, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Stolen Light (9-13) by 9l, 5 ran.
Heathyards Pride 8-1 (8-7) Held up, never on terms, 5th of 10, 8l behind Velvet Heights (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Dance World 28-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon eased, last of 10, 24l behind Velvet Heights (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Quince (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (8-13) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, edged left and one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Inch Lodge (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Tranquilizer 9-2 (10-0) Held up and keen in touch, smooth headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden when headed over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Your Amount (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Tous Les Deux 5-2 (9-5) Prominent, led over 6f out, headed 4f out, weakened 2f out, last of 5, 10l behind Happy as Larry (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol.
Melpomene 7-2 (8-6) Tracked leader, led narrowly 3f out, outpaced over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, ran on to lead line, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) std beating Eva Soneva So Fast (9-5) by a shd, 8 ran.
