held up in rear, good headway on inside over 1f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, ridden over 2f out no impression, until ran on towards finish to take 3rd
led, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra near finish
steadied start, keen and in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, short of room over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ran on
held up in rear, kept on, never nearer
ABBONDANZA and Advanced stand out at the weights and the former is marginally preferred. Noel Wilson's seven-year-old has a good career strike-rate of 10 wins from 35 starts, including three here. His last success came in a 7f handicap at this track, last May, when he was rated 4lbs below today's 108. His form tailed off later in the summer, but we can dismiss that as we know that this track and a break should see a different horse and he can score. Conversely, Advanced does not win too often, having done so on just five occasions from 42 attempts. This trip is tried for the first time, and pedigree suggests that he should get home, although he does have it to prove on the track. Dalradian won't be stopping and the gelding has enjoyed all three of his victories here, including one over 10f last time out. He looks still to be progressing, but at the weights he will need to do so quite markedly to win. Little else makes serious appeal given how the weights are framed and Abbondanza gets the nod.
Dalradian (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Held up, in rear, travelled strongly, strong headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol beating Mafeking (8-8) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Carcinetto (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Mahadee (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Abbondanza (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Pushed along towards rear, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, soon headed, weakened well over 1f out, last of 9, 15l behind Musaalem (9-0) at Redcar 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Oct.
Advanced 12-1 (8-11) 8th of 12, 5l behind Dunkerque (8-13) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Raptor (GER) 50-1 (8-12) Held up, towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Dalradian (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Red Somerset (USA) 11-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, kept on towards finish, not pace to challenge, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Alfresco (8-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
My Best Bet 4-1 (9-7) Steadied start, took keen hold in rear, headway 2f out, not clear run briefly soon after, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Island Sunset (9-6) at Kempton 1m fll hcp (4) pol.
Vainglory (USA) 7-2fav (8-6) Mid-division, ridden when hampered on bend 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Mahadee (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
