in touch, slightly hampered 2f out, led soon after, edged right inside final furlong, driven out
always prominent, not clear run 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd last strides
led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, carried wide bend after 1f, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden when hung left over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, edged left, kept on same pace final furlong
took keen hold, soon steadied towards rear, bumped on bend after 1f, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Machinate, Gifted Heir and Climate look the three to look at in this dire affair and Machinate is the pick. Mark Brisbourne's charge has struggled against the handicapper in recent weeks and a drop into claiming grade might just be the answer to his recent losing run. Gifted Heir beat a real rogues gallery in a bad claimer last time out. Today's assignment is much tougher. Climate is consistent at this grade but the official figures suggest he has something to find. Personify was a fair handicapper when trained by Clive Cox. The blinkers are reached for in desperation at the moment. Former sprinter, Tracer, cut little ice over hurdles and is now back to the flat. Not a race to take too long to ponder over and we side with Machinate.
Machinate (USA) 12-1 (9-3) In touch, effort 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Seneschal (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Gifted Heir (IRE) 3-1fav (8-6) Always prominent, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app sll (6) pol beating Tidy (8-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tracer 28-1 (9-4) Mid-division on outer, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 17l behind Little Bob (9-3) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Nov.
Climate (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) In touch, effort when hampered and checked just over 1f out, not recover, 6th of 12, 6l behind Takaamul (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol.
Personify 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hampered well over 1f out, soon weakened and hung left, 4th of 9, 9l behind Arctic Desert (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Holyfield Warrior (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Kinsman (9-3) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Oct.
Chasing Memories (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, short-lived effort on inside well over 2f out, 5th of 9, 16l behind Nawamees (9-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Dec.