towards rear, switched left over 2f out, rider lost whip just inside final 2f, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 3rd towards finish
prominent, driven to chase winner on inside over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards
prominent, driven and stayed on to press winner final 100 yeards, just held
soon chased winner, hard ridden 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, hard ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, effort on rails 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
soon led, ridden 2f out, hard pressed final furlong, held on gamely
slowly into stride, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden halfway weakened over 2f out
held up, mid-division, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, beaten when rein came apart inside final furlong
still wearing blanket as stalls opened, behind, ran on inside final furlong
Desert Light has slipped to a winning mark but might struggle to conquer some in-form sprinters, and the tentative vote goes to Vegas Boys ahead of Cree and Mulberry Lad. The selection has the services of the very promising William Buick aboard today to ease the burden of a raise for his win on his penultimate start. He should appreciate the long straight here at Kempton, and should be able to gain a fair pitch from his average draw. Cree has been in fine form this winter, but it looked as if the handicapper may have caught up with him after his latest second behind the selection. However he is a course and distance winner so cannot be dismissed lightly. Mulberry Lad has a good draw today from which to race close to the pace and must rate a live danger, although he is 11lbs above his highest winning mark, and although he could still be open to some improvement, he may need some help from the handicapper before he can win again. Of the rest, Jabbara looks to be on a fair mark if reproducing his romp at Southwell three starts ago, whilst Carcinetto is as consistent as the day is long and so makes the shortlist also. This is an open affair, but we will stick with Vegas Boys as our tentative selection.
Vegas Boys 11-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, bumped well over 1f out, soon every chance, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, nk behind Bond Playboy (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Cree 7-2 (9-3) Took keen hold tracking leaders, not clear run on inside and lost place 4f out, headway 2f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Vegas Boys (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Caustic Wit (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bond Playboy (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Carcinetto (IRE) 11-2 (8-4) Soon chasing leaders, lost place over 3f out, switched right and headway 1f out, swished tail and ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Bond Playboy (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Mulberry Lad (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) Held up in rear, shaken up and headway approaching final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Hotchpotch (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Cayman Breeze 13-2 (8-6) Held up, switched right over 1f out, ran on well, not reached leaders, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Mine The Balance (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Jabbara (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, hanging left, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Rowe Park (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Desert Light (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Held up, not clear run on inside over 2f out, headway over 1f out, staying on same pace when switched right well inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Vegas Boys (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
