always prominent, every chance 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
dropped out soon after start, held up last, no chance when ran wide bend entering straight
mid-division, kept on same pace inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, hard ridden, ran on
raced keenly, with leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, hanging right over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
prominent, ridden and beaten over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
LITTLE EDWARD is given the vote to get his head in front once again with The Tatling and Ivory Silk worth noting. The selection is getting on in years but shows no sign of it this winter and came back to his best when scoring at Lingfield on his penultimate outing. He was beaten into fourth race at Great Leighs last time out in what looked like a better race on paper. He can still be competitive at this level and if he recaptures his recent form he will go close once again. The Tatling comes form the Milton Bradley stable who have had a few quiet seasons of late. That said they now have many well handicapped horses in the yard and the Tatling is one of those. He is four pound higher in the weights for winning at Southwell last time out and considering he was rated as high as 115 three seasons ago he has to be given respect. Ivory Silk is six pounds worse of since winning with first time blinkers at Great Leighs last time out. They obviously worked in his favour and although he has more on his plate here he has every chance of being in the shake up. However for the winner we return to Little Edward.
Little Edward 7-1 (9-5) Held up, towards rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 3l behind Matsunosuke (9-4) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Vhujon (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, 7th of 8, 6l behind The Tatling (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
The Tatling (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, quickened to lead well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Northern Empire (8-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Ivory Silk 6-1 (9-3) Held up, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Doubtful Sound (8-7) by 1l, 11 ran.
Canadian Danehill (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Close up, ridden halfway, one pace final 2f, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind The Tatling (8-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Sands Crooner (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 1f out, stayed on to chase winner last 50 yards, no impression, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Doubtful Sound (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Almaty Express 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 8l behind Doubtful Sound (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Northern Empire (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Slowly into stride, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Figaro Flyer (8-13) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Bishopbriggs (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway on inside to chase leaders over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Northern Empire (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
