tracked leaders, weakening when carried left over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, not reach leaders
led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed and weakened
held up and keen mid-division, headway on inside when hampered and not clear run, switched right and no further impression
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, no extra near finish
in touch, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakening when switching right inside final furlong
with leader and keen, ridden to lead over 2f out, all out when headed inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edging left and led well inside final furlong, kept on
held up, ridden over 2f out, faded
steadied start, ridden 4f out, switched right over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
Newnham has hit form at the right time and can add to his recent tally, with Isa'af, Dragon Slayer and Desperation all worth a mention. Newnham had been knocking on the door before coming good at Lingfield 16 days ago, having found one too good on each of his three previous outings on the all-weather. He would have been unfortunate not to collect last time, as he did not get a clear sight of the leaders until late on, but Joe Fanning was patient and managed to get there right on the line to beat Custodian by a neck. The race was run in only a moderate time, which would not have suited Jim Boyle's charge, and hopefully he will get a quicker pace as he steps back up in trip. Isa'af will also be suited by a strong gallop, and this recent Southwell scorer who has course-and-distance form to his credit, looks a danger along with Dragon Slayer who has shaped as though he will get today's trip. Desperation was a beaten favourite in claiming company at Lingfield last time, having earlier scraped home in that grade here, so probably has a bit more on his plate than others. Golden Boot will be all the better for his recent return to action and should be noted if attracting support in the ring, but we shall stay loyal to Newnham.
Compton Drake 10-1 (9-8) Steadied start, always in rear, 11th of 13, 10l behind Granston (9-9) at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Top Spec (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Pass The Port (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Kingkohler (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 11l behind Royal Jet (8-8) at Leicester 1m 4f stk 0-75 (4) gd in Aug.
Desperation (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (9-7) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on one pace, under pressure final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Bishops Finger (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Isa'af (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Close up, led 4f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (5) fbs beating Romil Star (9-2) by 2l, 7 ran.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Led, ridden 3f out, headed last strides, 2nd of 13, nk behind Bazelle (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Newnham (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Steadied in touch, headway over 1f out, weaved through final furlong, ran on to lead final 100 yds, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol beating Custodian (9-0) by a nk, 14 ran.
Golden Boot 16-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 12, 12l behind Moon Emperor (9-4) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
