tracked leader, every chance from over 1f out, no extra towards finish
led, hard driven and strongly challenged from well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
prominent, outpaced over 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon every chance, weakened close home
Just the five runners turn up for this mile handicap and although Prince Of Sorrento has shaped well in two starts so far he's difficult to assess first time up in a handicap so instead we turn to the reliable TRANSFIXED while Richard Hughes is the eye-catching jockey booking on Exceedthewildman. There is a slight question mark over the trip in regards to the chances of the selection but David Evans' charge has been running well recently and is just two pounds heavier than when last in front. Prince Of Sorrento built on the promise he showed on debut to get up late and score on his very next try. He looked as if this distance was worth a try but with his mark not obviously light we'll take a watching brief this time. Stan Moore's Exceedthewildman was well held off this mark last time but the booking of Richard Hughes suggest connections expect better things this time so a market watch is advised while Cuthbert needs considering after his victory in a maiden on his latest appearance. Just the quintet of runners but a tricky puzzle nevertheless with the vote just landing in the saddle of Transfixed.
Transfixed (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Edgewater (9-7) at Lingfield 6f Handicap in Dec.
Exceedthewildman 5-1 (9-2) Tracked winner until ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Kai Mook (8-8) at Lingfield 7f 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Dec.
Prince Of Sorrento 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards, won at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec beating Feeling Fragile (9-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Cuthbert (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Made all, pushed clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Lingfield 7f Maiden's in Dec beating Katchmore (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Zubova 11-4 (8-12) Always prominent, hung left from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, kept on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Exearti (8-12) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
