mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed to lead inside final furlong, soon clear readily
chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish
behind, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, no impression
behind, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
led 1f, pressed leader, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong
led after 1f, held over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
mid division, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, mid-division, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd well over final furlong, no chance with winner
always behind
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
In low-grade handicaps like this is often pays to side with recent good form and from that we can draw up a shortlist of Topcroft, Reigning Monarch and CHEERY CAT and we side with the last mentioned as he looks slightly more reliable. The selection's previous visit to this track wasn't exactly sparkling but the trip didn't look ideal. Dropping back to the distance that has seen him score three times looks a positive and at just two pounds heavier than when scoring at Lingfield in October he should run a big race. Topcroft easily scored over a mile here last time out and although racing off the same mark he might get outpaced now dropping down to this sprint assignment for the first time. Reigning Monarch hasn't got his head in front for some time but has some of the best recent form in this field and Cocktail Party can also be considered after a couple of improved efforts on his last two starts. This race won't live long in the memory and Cheery Cat's consistency can be the difference.
Topcroft 11-4fav (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ran on inside last, won at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Join Up (8-12) by 6l, 14 ran.
Cocktail Party (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Elusive Ronnie (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 10-1 (8-10) Pushed along leaving stalls, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Lethal (8-13) at Kempton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Dontuwishitwereso 17-2 (8-11) Bumped start and slowly into stride, headway on outer over 3f out to chase leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 7l behind Fuzzy Cat (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Aug.
Deo Valente (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Taken to post early, chased leaders, ridden after 2f out, driven halfway, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 20l behind Fantasy Fighter (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Sweet Kiss (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Bumped after 1f, lost action, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 10l behind Fantasy Fighter (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Cheery Cat (USA) 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Diamond Fire (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f Apprentice Handicap (0-52) (3yo+) (6) pol in Nov.
Commandingpresence (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced halfway, driven and effort approaching final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Spinning Bailiwick (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Place The Duchess 50-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 13l behind Fourtowns Flyer (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Native Dame (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) In touch, short of room after 1f, and dropped to rear, not a danger after,, 8th of 9, 13l behind Spinning Bailiwick (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Summer Rose 10-1 (9-3) Raced in mid-division on outer, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Elusive Ronnie (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Royal Acclamation (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Tangerine Trees (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
