went left start, held up in last pair, good headway over 3f out, not clearest of runs when switched left to outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, unable to reach winner
soon chasing leader, lost 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slightly bumped start, held up in last pair, outpaced 3f out, no threat after
took keen hold, tracked leaders, headway to 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
pulled hard tracking leaders, disputing 3rd halfway, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furloing
Emma's Gift has solid claims after a couple of placed efforts at Lingfield in more competitive races than this. She makes more appeal than Songburst, who still has to prove as good at this trip as he is over a mile, but French import DARING INDIAN should give her more to think about. He was fancied to get off the mark when only sixth at Lingfield last time, but still looked in need of the run and today might be the day to catch him right. Focail Maith has a bit to find with the selection on latest running and Encore Un Fois disappointed on his latest start, so recent Southwell maiden winner Shieldmaiden could prove a bigger threat.
Emma's Gift (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, not clear run and switched right inside final furlong, driven and ran on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Young Dottie (8-7) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Songburst 11-2 (8-8) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 14, 10l behind True To Form (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Shieldmaiden (USA) 5-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, hung right and carried head high over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, ran on gamely, won at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs beating Bravestofthebrave (9-3) by shd, 8 ran.
Beginnings (USA) 100-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, stayed on to modest 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Proud Chieftain (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Daring Indian 4-1fav (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Choral Festival (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Grand Theft Equine 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, ridden to challenge when hampered and bumped by winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Calypso Cay (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Focail Maith 5-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Archie Rice (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Encore Un Fois 11-2 (9-0) Steadied start, in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, not troubled leaders, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Woop Woop (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Brown Pete (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 16l behind Kames Park (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
