mid-division, ridden halfway, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, just held
held up towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon one pace
slowly away, behind, switched right and headway over 1f out, never nearer
always prominent, led 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on well
always towards rear
always mid-division
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon faded
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
held up mid-division, headway final furlong, never nearer
led 2f out, stayed on same pace
always towards rear
This is a poor contest in terms of quality but competitive and what can only be a tentative vote goes to the relatively unexposed STYLE ICON, who ran much better over course and distance on his latest start and Rae Guest's gelding gets the verdict ahead of Truly Divine and Seneschal. The last mentioned ran better in a Lingfield handicap last time when chasing home Suhayl Star and a reproduction of that form back on turf would see him go close. A market move for Barney Curley's Elusive Hawk would be of interest, while Networker ran better at Lingfield last time but probably needs some assistance from the handicapper. Similar comments apply to Poppy's Rose, who has not won since June 2007, while stable companion Sands of Barra has been well held in recent starts and he is hard to recommend. The lightly raced Truly Divine ran better at Lingfield last time and he has to be considered but the vote goes to the even less exposed Style Icon, who has only had four starts so far and he could be good enough to open his account in this company.
Poppy's Rose 15-2 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon hung left, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Methaaly (9-2) at York 6f hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Style Icon 16-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 8l behind Candle Sahara (9-0) at Yarmouth 7f 3yo mdn 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Elusive Hawk (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in touch, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no chance, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Milne Bay (8-5) at Great Leighs 6f hcap (5) pol in Jan.
Averoo 16-1 (8-10) Reared start, held up last, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous final 2f, last of 7, 11l behind Brunelleschi (8-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) in Mar.
Networker 17-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden and hung left entering final 2f, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Desert Dreamer (9-3) at Lingfield 7f sell stks (6) pol in Mar.
Bigfanofthat (IRE) 15-2 (9-8) Held up in touch, headway halfway, soon driven and outpaced, never dangerous, last of 5, 9l behind Desert Dreamer (10-0) at Lingfield 7f sell stks (6) pol in Mar.
Seneschal 13-2 (9-4) Chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden 2 lengths clear over 1f out, driven and headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Suhayl Star (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Sands of Barra (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed, weakened 1f out, 9th of 13, 5l behind Colour Of Money (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Mar.
Inca Soldier (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 7l behind Kingsmaite (10-11) at Wolverhampton 6f Am hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Coeur Courageux (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6f out, weakening on outside when pushed wide over 2f out, last of 12, 23l behind Rossini's Dancer (10-9) at Wolverhampton 1m (6) pol.
Truly Divine 7-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway when carried head high, looked reluctant and hung left over 1f out, pulled to outside, ridden and stayed on to take 4th near finish, 4th of 10, 2l behind Mr Skipiton (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Chief Exec 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up and behind, hung left from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 8l behind Mister New York (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Registrar 14-1 (9-0) Always rear group, never dangerous final 2f, last of 12, 9l behind To Be Or Not To Be (8-9) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Ugenius 11-1 (9-4) Taken to post early, in rear, wide and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 9l behind Almahaza (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Zeffirelli 16-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, driven and edged left inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Suhayl Star (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) std.
Strategic Knight (USA) 15-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Cap St Jean (8-8) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
