held up in rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on under pressure towards finish
held up in rear, switched left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway and never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
held up towards rear, switched right and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, just held on
towards rear, reminders 8f out, headway over 5f out, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, pulled hard, hung right 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
Another open heat where the suggestion is MR PLOD to get the better of Inch Lodge and Winning Show, though don't discount Midnight Bay. The Michael Scudamore-trained selection comes here chasing a hat-trick after a Kempton hurdling win and then a very comfortable defeat of Russian Music at Lingfield over 1m 4f last time. He has run well at this track in defeat before, so we know he acts here, and he looks capable of defying a 6lb penalty to complete that cross-code hat-trick. Inch Lodge is back on the same mark as a previous course and distance success and the seven-year-old entire wins in his turn, so he is much respected. If there is money for him, given connections, then it is likely to be significant. Winning Show landed a Lingfield handicap chase over 2m 5f last month but has run well in defeat under today's conditions and this trip looks ideal for him on the Polytrack. He is not ruled out, and the same goes for Midnight Bay, who was down the field on numerous starts earlier in the campaign, but gave a glimmer of hope at Wolverhampton last time and should be suited by the slight drop in trip and faster surface. Check out the market for clues there, and also with Lyrical Intent, but Mr Plod can come home in front.
Inch Lodge 25-1 (8-4) Keen, raced wide, in touch, headway to press leader briefly 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 5, 3l behind Aurorian (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Hatch A Plan (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened 3f out, 14th of 15, 22l behind Recession Proof (10-7) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Mr Plod 11-4fav (8-13) Patiently ridden in rear, plenty to do approaching 2f out, smooth headway from over 1f out, shaken off to lead inside final furlong, ran on comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Russian Music (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Andaman Sunset 25-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up last, well in rear over 3f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Megalala (8-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Under Fire (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 14l behind Dancing Welcome (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Winning Show 16-1 (8-11) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden and losing place when hampered over 2f out, weakened after, 12th of 13, 16l behind Saloon (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
Royal Premier (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, lost place over 5f out, soon tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Swords (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
Midnight Bay 50-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, kept on final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Bee Stinger (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks (6) pol.
Rock Tech 66-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 14, 17l behind Topcroft (8-10) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Lyrical Intent 16-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 14, 10l behind Mr Plod (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
