set furious pace, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, pushed up to be in touch in main group, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
in touch in main group, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
hampered soon after start, outpaced in main group, driven 2f out, no impression
outpaced in mid division of main group, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd final furlong
taken to post early, outpaced in rear of main group, driven and hung left over 1f out, kept on to go 4th inside final furlong
chased leading pair, ridden halfway, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on no chance with winner
soon outpaced, in rear of main group, driven over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous
outpaced in main group, keeping on when slightly hampered inside final furlong
with leader, led 2f out, driven and ran on final furlong
MARTINGRANGE BOY is a tentative selection with The Magic Blanket and Bluebok also on the shortlist. John Balding's inmate put up a fair effort on his reappearance and was guilty only of lacking matchfitness. He has won here previously and should be capable of improvement. The Magic Blanket had dropped significantly in the weights and took advantage of it to oblige off a mark of 50. Bluebok is a regular in low grade sprints though his consistency gives the handicapper little room to alter his calculations. Teen Ager needs a fast pace to have any chance of following up his victory at this course. Smokin Beau and The Lord would have walked this engagement a couple of years ago but against exposed rivals, they have to be respected in the event of any money. Mudhish probably had little chance against the prolific Smokey Rye on his last visit to Lingfield and this drop in trip was certainly not expected. Another Socket may have been over the top at Wolverhampton in November and connections have been notably patient on this occasion. Not an easy race for punters to solve and Martingrange Boy is put forward to minimum stakes.
Martingrange Boy (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Spic 'n Span (9-0) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Another Socket 5-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, recovered to chase leader after 1f, switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 7l behind Sands Crooner (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Smokin Beau 12-1 (8-12) Prominent, lost place halfway, 8th of 9, 7l behind Wreningham (8-7) at Great Leighs 5f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Mudhish (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 13l behind Obe Royal (10-1) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs.
The Lord 20-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden halfway, never nearer, 6th of 9, 10l behind Grimes Faith (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, steadied when hampered soon after start, always behind, 9th of 12, 8l behind What Katie Did (9-8) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Bluebok 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Teen Ager (8-9) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Teen Ager (FR) 11-2 (9-3) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 9l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Brazilian Brush (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 11l behind Blue Tomato (8-6) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol.
The Magic Blanket (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leader on outside, ridden to lead inside final 2f, clear final furlong, pushed out, comfortably, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan beating Taboor (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
