held up towards rear, ran wide and headway 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out until ran on towards finish
pulled hard and led, ridden over 2f out, headed final 100 yards
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
always prominent, ridden 2f out, led final 100 yards
held up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, towards rear, staying on when not clear run well inside final furlong
raced wide, in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over final furlong
slowly into stride, never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, always behind
held up, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, one pace final furlong
An interesting contest where a chance is taken on Interactive to get home in front from Smokin Joe, Faithful Ruler and Gimme Some Lovin. The selection has been handicapped for the first time after four fair efforts at a range of trips in maidens. His pedigree suggests that he will be more suited now back at this trip and he comes from a yard that is going very well, and this could prove to be a lenient initial mark. Smokin Joe was a runner up over 10f last time and won at Kempton over this trip prior to that. He is a very consistent performer and loves it here so he is respected. Onenightinlisbon and Samuel Charles look better suited to claiming company and Quantum Leap looks a better bet. Simon Dow's charge has enjoyed two c&d wins and went up 4lb for finishing runner up last time. His task is therefore tougher, but he is in form. Faithful Ruler left a good impression when landing a 7f handicap at Kempton and an 8lb rise plus a car park draw won't help him follow up. Gimme Some Lovin steps up in trip, and that is not certain to suit, while Metropolitan Chief is 3lb higher than when winning at Wolverhampton in September and has struggled in handicaps since. It's the usual punters' poser to conclude the card and Interactive may provide the right answer.
Smokin Joe 7-1 (9-13) Held up, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Greek Easter (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Interactive (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders 2f out, ridden, edged left and weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Silver Tide (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov.
Onenightinlisbon (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Regal Raider (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Samuel Charles 7-2fav (9-1) Keen hold, chased leader over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 5th of 14, 2l behind Rebellious Spirit (9-1) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol in Nov.
Corlough Mountain 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, led 3f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Smokin Joe (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final 2f, 6th of 17, 12l behind Prince of Charm (9-2) at Salisbury 7f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Quantum Leap 11-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, shd behind Wrighty Almighty (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Faithful Ruler (USA) 5-1jt-fav (9-1) Held up, headway on bit over 2f out, soon chasing clear leader, closed to lead inside final furlong, won going away, won at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating The Jailer (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Gimme Some Lovin (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 12, 3/4l behind Regal Raider (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Metropolitan Chief 3-1fav (8-8) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung left and headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Wadnagin (8-11) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Zazous 12-1 (9-4) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 6l behind Wrighty Almighty (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Cow Girl (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Keen, rapid headway to lead over 5f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Goose Green (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Nikki Bea (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Raced wide, behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, last of 14, 8l behind Quantum Leap (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Baba Ghanoush 14-1 (9-1) Tracked winner, lost 2nd well over 1f out when no chance, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Carlitos Spirit (9-3) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol.
