raced mid-division, wide and headway when hung left well over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish
pulled hard, led 2f, remained prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
keen, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on on troubled leaders
led after 2f, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, headway, hung right and short of room over 1f out, soon beaten
held up mid-division, good headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong
always in rear, behind final 3f
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, weakened final furlong
A tough handicap for punters to fathom to conclude the card, and among those with chances are Kindlelight Blue, Alpes Maritimes and Inside Story, but we will side with Spirit Of The Mist. Declan Murphy's runner has returned to a more realistic mark of 80 for this 10 furlong contest and with some stamina in his pedigree this trip should be fine. Richard Hughes is an interesting booking and with him up plus the application of first-time blinkers this could well be the day to catch him. Kindlelight Blue is up 3lb for staying on well to score over c&d last time and will be a serious threat from this mark. Also respected is Alpes Maritimes, who is just 1lb higher than when winning a c&d maiden and comes from a yard that does well here, though it is possible to pick holes in the form of the gelding. Inside Story has been dropped a little since beaten only a length over a mile at Kempton, stays this trip and has a 100 per cent record at this track, so he may well run a big race, but we can only pick one and that one is Spirit Of The Mist.
Mafeking (UAE) 11-4 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on to chase winner well inside final furlong, gaining near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Evident Pride (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Spirit of The Mist (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Slowly away in rear, hard driven 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 6l behind Kay Gee Be (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Dwelt, always behind, 14th of 15, 21l behind Suits Me (9-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Inside Story (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Mid-division, staying on when not clear run over 1f out, switched left and stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 11, 1l behind Gazboolou (9-7) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol in Oct.
Resonate (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 4l behind Heaven Knows (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Touch of Style (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 6l behind Councellor (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Alpes Maritimes Evensfav (9-3) In rear, headway 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov beating Demisemiquaver (8-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
Kindlelight Blue (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, headway to lead 5f out, ridden 2f out, pressed from over 1f out, edged left, stayed on inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Jago (8-9) by 1l, 11 ran.
Salut Saint Cloud 8-1 (11-2) Always in rear, behind final 3f, 11th of 12, 26l behind Blue Hedges (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Keen, held up, always in rear, 10th of 11, 6l behind Kindlelight Blue (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Stark Contrast (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leader until lost place over 6f out, headway again over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Lilac Moon (8-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
