tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, disputed lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, pressed winner afterwards, always held final 150 yards
tracked leader, ridden to lead narrowly over 2f out, joined over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra and soon lost 2nd, kept on one pace
held up 5th, good headway on bit over 1f out, shaken up and led entering final furlong, ran on, pushed out and held on well
started very slowly, very keen in rear, headway over 4f out, pressed leaders 3f out, soon ridden, outpaced final 2f
soon led, headed narrowly over 2f out, kept on, weakened approaching final furlong
raced keenly behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, never dangerous
SALTAGIOO is the selection though Millfield and Tous Les Deux are obvious players. Marco Botti's yard continue in good form and this ex-Italian performer looks to have been found a suitable opportunity to get his head infront. Admittedly most of his form in Italy was over ten but he has shown plenty of speed in two recent forays. Millfield ran well on reappearance over an inadequate trip. The market is closely watched now that he is turned out over a mile. Tous Les Deux's style of running is ideally suited to Lingfield. Whether those come from behind tactics are quite so effective at Kempton is another matter. Magnitude has questions to answer after flopping when odds-on in selling grade. Wavertree Warrior often looks unlucky but its impossible to believe he can be so unfortunate given that his losing run has gone to 28 on the spin. Ocean Legend and Star Strider both need to improve on the evidence of their recent appearances. Saltagioo gets the vote.
Saltagioo (ITY) 7-1 (9-5) Prominent, chased leader 7f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 6l behind Spectait (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Magnitude 8-13fav (9-0) Raced wide throughout, held up, headway 2f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Kipchak (8-13) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol in Jan.
Ocean Legend (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-3) Prominent on outside, ridden and no impression over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 5th of 10, 5l behind L'Hirondelle (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Tous Les Deux 9-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, wide into straight 2f out, headway soon after, ridden to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Shake On It (8-2) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Millfield (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Dropped in last from wide draw, effort on inside 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Last Sovereign (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, driven and ran on strongly towards finish, not quite get up, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Tous Les Deux (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Star Strider 7-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Tous Les Deux (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
