raced wide in mid-division, driven along 3f out, weakened 2f out
held in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
took keen hold on inner, in touch, effort going well and squeezed through over 1f out, shaken up and quickened to lead final 100 yards, comfortably
took keen hold, went 2nd halfway, led 2f out, driven and edged left final furlong, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
slowly into stride, always behind
slowly away, behind, no real headway final 2f
prominent, ridden 3f out, chased leading pair 2f out, ridden to chase leader briefly 1f out, not quicken near finish
slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
slowly into stride, behind, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 3rd near finish
keen hold, tracked leader to 3f out, chased leading pair to 2f out, weakened final furlong
led to 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
Another tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights, but the principals look to be Devil's Island, Glad Big and Arctic Desert and the vote is given to Devil's Island. The selection won well last time out when beating Kirkstone and off what remains a fair mark he is taken to win again. Glad Big rates the main danger as he also won well last time when beating Melee and, with his yard continuing in good form, he should be noted ion the market. Arctic Desert is another that could go well as he is thrown in on his best form but he has shown very little of late so he cannot be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder, Corky could improve for the fitting of a first-time visor but, for the winner, we return to Devil's Island who at least won well last time out.
Star Magnitude (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakening when hampered on rail inside final 2f, 9th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Chief Exec (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (4) pol.
Arctic Desert 15-2 (9-1) Dwelt, behind, switched right over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 14, 8l behind Wessex (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Glad Big (GER) 1-2fav (9-0) Held up, headway going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol beating Melee (8-2) by 2l, 11 ran.
Hey Presto 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, never a factor, 13th of 14, 12l behind Stoic Leader (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Corky (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway 2f out, never near to challenge, 7th of 14, 12l behind Samuel Charles (8-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Monte Mayor Boy 9-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 5th of 11, 7l behind Speed Dial Harry (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Luna Tacumana (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Tuscarora (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Devil's Island 12-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, all out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Kirkstone (9-4) by a hd, 12 ran.
