started slowly, took keen hold, behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final 2f, never nearer
steadied start, took keen hold, behind, headway to challenge over 1f out, going well, ridden and not quicken inside final furlong, took 3rd close home
in touch, headway over 1f out and not clear run, staying on inside final furlong when checked, unable to challenge
led until headed just over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
in touch, ridden to lead just over 1f out, hard pressed entering final furlong, ran on, all out
mid-division, headway 2f out, effort over 1f out, not quicken, weakened final furlong
steadied start, took keen hold, held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no headway
steadied start, always towards rear
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, weakening when short of room and eased inside final furlong
steadied start, always in rear group, struggling over 2f out
tracked leader until well over 1f out, weakened rapidly final furlong
behind, headway from 2f out, ridden to dispute lead entering final furlong, every chance, no extra, outpaced by winner close home
raced keenly, held up, headway to track leaders 5f out, effort over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, eased near finish
An open handicap here where the short list comprises of Smokey The Bear, Whaxaar, Oasis Sun and Most Definitely and we take Whaxaar to score. It will be heart-in-mouth time for punters following the selection, as he does have to be held up and in fact met with trouble in running when second over c&d last time. A 2lb higher mark is not insurmountable and he can make the most of a light racing weight to score. Most Definitely has not won for two-and-a-half years, and although that last success was over this trip it must be doubtful if he has the speed for this these days. Oasis Sun picked up an 11f handicap here in November before a rise in the weights found him out and he looks the be in the grip of the handicapper at present. Smokey The Bear is dropped a palty 1lb after failing to cope with a mark of 54 at Lingfield last time but he is at least consistent and can again make the frame, though Whaxaar is our idea of the winner.
Red Wine 15-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out, no impression after, 7th of 12, 10l behind Bold Adventure (7-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
Most Definitely (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Started slowly, held up towards rear, good headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 14, 4l behind Snowberry Hill (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Tancredi (SWE) 12-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 9l behind Four Tel (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Pocket Too 10-3 (8-13) Held up, reminders over 6f out, driven when weakening over 2f out, 5th of 6, 15l behind Kylkenny (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 3l behind Mr Napoleon (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Bienheureux 8-1 (9-1) Held up, edged right over 3f out, no impression final 2f, 5th of 9, 5l behind Chunky's Choice (8-11) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Amwell Brave 13-2 (9-7) Always towards rear, 12th of 14, 10l behind Spirit of Adjisa (9-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
King of Diamonds 12-1 (9-0) Chased leader, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 9l behind Apres Ski (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcap (5) pol in Sept '06.
Persona (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden halfway, behind when rider dropped whip approaching 3f out, last of 12, 38l behind Bowl of Cherries (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Key Partners (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Always in rear, eased final furlong, 11th of 12, 33l behind Blue Hills (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Desert Soul 33-1 (8-13) Led after 2f, headed over 5f out, lost place over 2f out, last of 8, 38l behind Western Point (8-10) at Brighton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Smokey The Bear 7-2jt-fav (9-0) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind War of The Roses (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Whaxaar (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Steadied start, behind, headway over 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong to take 2nd near finish, not trouble winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Royal Premier (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Oasis Sun (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, soon eased, 6th of 9, 14l behind Fantasy Ride (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
