tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and every chance, bit short of room over 1f out, soon no extra, held close home
took keen hold, prominent, ridden along 3f out, soon weakened
raced freely, led, ridden 2f out, edged right and hampered rival over 1f out when headed, ran on inside final furlong, no match for winner
in touch with leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won going away
Lord Sam's Castle has won twice over 7f at Newcastle though just prevailed in a scrap to the line last time and is 6lb higher. RAINTOWN is preferred as he placed here before winning a maiden at Lingfield and there should be more to come now handicapping. Optiva Star finished ahead of Hadley Park at Kempton but Sean Levey switches to stablemate Uncle, who ran well at the latter track on his handicap bow.
Lord Sam's Castle (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along when some headway over 2f out, pressed leader approaching final furlong, ridden to lead final 110yds, cosily, won at Newcastle 7f (4) pol in Nov beating Centre Court (8-10) by nk, 9 ran.
Uncle 9-2 (9-4) Keen, midfield, hard ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Loyal Touch (9-9) at Kempton 1m (4) pol in Nov.
Optiva Star (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Soon off the pace in last pair, headway out wide over 1f out, kept on towards finish, never nearer, 6th of 10, 3l behind Emperor Zen (9-0) at Kempton 1m (5) pol in Dec.
Hadley Park 11-8fav (9-10) Quickly away, pulled hard and led briefly, soon steadied 3rd on inside, pushed along on inner over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 9th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Emperor Zen (9-0) at Kempton 1m (5) pol in Dec.
Raintown (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5f out, sustained challenge inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Camusdarach (9-7) by nk, 12 ran.