towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
made all, set steady pace, quickened 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, pushed out comfortably
raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, no chance with winner from over 1f out
pulled hard, always in rear, never dangerous final 2f
raced keenly, tracked winner to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
pulled hard in touch on outer, hard ridden over 2f out, no headway, soon outpaced
towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, headway on rail 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, not trouble leaders
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, outpaced final 2f
Contessina is suggested in an open handicap but big runs can also be expected from Wannabe Free and Boomtown. Contessina was just a neck behind Wannabe Free in a 7 furlong maiden here in December but improved to beat a subsequent winner over a mile at Kempton next time. This further step up in trip will suit and she has room for improvement from her current mark. This longer trip should also see Wannabe Free in a better light as she was finishing strongly in that December maiden and she has caught the eye more than once in her four starts to date. To complicate matters, nearly all the runners are unexposed at this trip and bred to improve for it and a close eye should be kept on the betting. Boomtown is more exposed but he is still progressing and should give another good account of himself but Contessina is taken to gain the upper hand this afternoon.
Alcimedes 9-2 (9-3) Led 1f, tracked leaders after, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Age of Reason (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Boomtown 6-4fav (9-9) Led until 8f out, led again 5f out, quickened clear over 2f out, soon ridden, headed last strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Sheer Fantastic (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Wannabe Free 11-4fav (9-0) Broke well, soon behind, not much room over 5f out, switched wide and ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 7l behind Sweet Hope (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Dec.
Henry James (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up, went 3rd 2f out, no impression on leaders, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Fair Gale (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Contessina (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, led toward finish, won at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Leamington (9-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Greek Theatre (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Ike Quebec (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Shaftesbury (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Magical Fantasy (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Threestoneburn (USA) 10-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 5f out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 7l behind Sheer Fantastic (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
