chased leader 7f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance 1f out, held when hampered inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway on inside over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
held up, good headway over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, ran on
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened
took keen hold, held up, always in rear
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
always behind
always prominent, ridden 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
This valuable event can go to Grand Passion, with Cimyla and Appalachian Trail rated as his main dangers. Three wins and three second places from nine Lingfield all-weather runs show that the selection's form stands up to scutiny here and, one of the best two in the field based on official adjusted ratings, he looks set to run a good race. The possible downside is that he has not raced for 175 days. Cimyla is the other one rated in the top two, and having bagged over ¿23,000 in winning his last two races, one of them over course and distance, he is very much respected, especially as he is only two pounds worse off for the three lengths that he beat Appalachian Trail over course and distance in November, although the latter comes here with recent form under his belt and gets a good mention. One More Round has form enough from Ireland in 2004 to be seriously considered, but can't be given a big shout on recent efforts, while Berkhamsted was a very useful juvenile in 2004 but has had only one run since. Overall, the others need to improve in order to feature so, once again, the selection is Grand Passion.
Appalachian Trail (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 6, 2l behind Putra Sas (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol.
Cimyla (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) Towards rear, good headway from 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, led just over 1f out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov beating Activo (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Grand Passion (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Keen, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Andean (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f stk (3) gd in Aug.
Hail The Chief 12-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Tiger Tiger (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
One More Round (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 12l behind Putra Sas (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol.
Berkhamsted (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 6, 13l behind The Geezer (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo stk (4) gs in Apr.
Archimboldo (USA) 14-1 (8-13) In touch, outpaced from 4f out, last of 6, 6l behind Grand Jour (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Hard To Explain (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Tracked leader, green first bend, led 4f out, clear final furlong, pushed out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec beating Dream Champion (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
