held up, in rear and pushed along over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakend final furlong
dwelt in mid-division, effort on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced wide and close up, ridden over 1f out weakend inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakend final furlong
slowly into stride, always in rear
mid-division, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, with winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, driven and edged left when headed inside final furlong, kept on
Withdrawn
STRIKER TORRES has often promised to be a bit better than his rating and he's starting to show that now, so we'll stick with him ahead of Rondeau and Nacho Libre. Brian Smart's gelding finally got his head in front in December at Wolverhampton, following up that win with victory at Southwell, performances that have seen his rating shoot up from 63 to today's 72. However, he was rated in the 80's on the back of some promising runs in maidens and providing this switch to Lingfield doesn't impede his progress we fancy him to rack up the hat-trick. Rondeau is a frustrating sort who surely has the ability to win off this mark, but he's up a pound for coming second last time and may again find one too good despite the fact that his racing style is suited by Lingfield. He's preferred narrowly to Nacho Libre of the remainder, although the latter will benefit from stepping back to seven furlongs having been well beaten over further last time. His earlier win at Kempton over this trip suggested a 9lb rise might not actually be too harsh, so it'll be interesting to see how he goes in the market. Hypnotist was beaten only a head in a course and distance maiden that has worked out well, so he's interesting on his first start in over three months though again the market will reveal more about his wellbeing. Kyle might just be better over six furlongs and he's winless from 14 starts on artificial surfaces so of more interest is Lady Kent whose Irish form entitles her to respect. Sarah's Art wins her fair share of races but generally at shorter distances, I Confess is well treated but may not get free reign out in front and Trafalgar Square doesn't appear ready to return to his winning form here. This is a good race but it still presents a good opportunity for Striker Torres to score.
Sarah's Art (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, gradually switched right over 1f out, soon hard ridden, ran on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 13, 5l behind Divine Force (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Trafalgar Square 28-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, driven and kept on, never nearer, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Mr Willis (9-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Bobs Dreamflight 33-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 21l behind Black Dahlia (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Rondeau (GR) 7-2fav (9-4) Behind, headway over 2f out, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, ran on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Fazbee (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Striker Torres (IRE) 5-2 (8-7) Raced keenly, soon led, headed over 5f out, stayed pressing, led and hung left from over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan beating Elusive Warrior (8-10) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Hypnotist (UAE) 6-1 (8-5) Behind and outpaced, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Steel Stockholder (7-13) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Nacho Libre 15-2 (9-2) Dwelt, always in rear, 9th of 12, 21l behind Thunderstruck (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Cut And Thrust (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 9th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Moojeh (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Lady Kent (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Soon led, headed under 2f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, 4th of 14, 2l behind Rockazar (10-0) at Dundalk 1m app hcp 0-80 std in Nov.
I Confess 6-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Fazbee (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Kyle (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) In touch, headway over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Billberry (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
