slowly into stride, always towards rear
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway from 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, ran on to lead last strides
pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, not clear run inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well
in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and not run on close home
tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace
led, steady pace, quickened over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied and every chance inside final furlong, ran on
A tricky race to predict on account of the number of closers in this contest and Meditation might be capable of nicking this race from Obrigado, Baan and Summer Dancer. Ian Wood's charge finished a close-up fifth to Atlantic Story earlier in the month and if the known front-runner is allowed the luxury of a soft lead, she could make the others pay. Obrigado has class albeit tempered with very obvious quirks. His better efforts have come with a combination of bigger fields and a strong pace so the percentage call has to be that of opposition. Baan has been consistent of late at Wolverhampton and seems to take his racing well. The visor remains on today. Summer Dancer is less exposed than most of these although as a known puller, he wouldn't want to see too much daylight. Gaelic Princess looks weighted to the hilt and is not a frequent winner. Oakley Heffert similarly has ability although it is now in excess of a year between drinks. Waterline Twenty and Without Excuse are unproven over the trip. A good race and Meditation can cause a surprise.
Obrigado (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Slowly away, held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Mafeking (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Gaelic Princess 12-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Summer Dancer (IRE) 9-2fav (8-11) Pulled hard in rear, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Golden Desert (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Without Excuse (USA) 18-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Hoh Wotanite (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Waterline Twenty (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Behind, headway over 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, not troubled leading pair, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Den's Gift (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Oakley Heffert (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-1) Set steady pace, headed 5f out, tracked leader after, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, beaten when short of room near finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Kindlelight Blue (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Baan (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 7, hd behind Soviet Palace (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Meditation 16-1 (8-11) Led, quickened over 2f out, edged right and headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Demisemiquaver (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
