steadied start, held up in mid-division, switched left over 1f out, ran on to lead entering final furlong, quickened and soon clear, easily
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no headway and weakened over 2f out
steadied start, held up in rear, some headway on inside over 2f out, never nearer
towards rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
behind, ridden and wide straight 3f out, soon in rear
tracked leader on outer, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, no extra, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed just over 1f out, no extra and lost 3rd final half furlong
in touch, ridden to lead just over 1f out, soon headed, quickly outpaced by winner
steadied start, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take final 100 yards, not troubled leaders
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
Epidaurian King will have to show even more courage than normal to win following a 7lb rise here and Mister Always has chances but we will side with Ai Hawa to take this handicap. The course winner is still on a handy mark here and is better suited here than at Wolverhampton where he flopped last time. If anything the trip is a slight concern, but he is usually close enough after 7f, so he has probably got enough speed. Maiden Investor is another dropping back in trip and she won a maiden at Wolverhampton over 9f last month. Handicapping proved tricky enough last time from this mark and she is opposed. Mister Always blunted Claws last time over this trip and has gone up 3lb for that. If handling this different circuit he will go close. Epidaurian King is in fine form and will be fancied by many to complete the hat-trick, but the weight is a definite concern and Ai Hawa is preferred.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 5-2 (9-6) Held up, headway over 3f out, edged left 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol beating Mr Chocolate Drop (8-9) by a hd, 11 ran.
Mister Always 7-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, hung left and led inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec beating Claws (8-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Maiden Investor 7-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, not clear run 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Lordswood (8-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Sovereignty (JPN) 4-1fav (8-7) Led after 1f, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Epidaurian King (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
The Carpet Man 9-4 (9-3) Close up, ridden 2f out, no chance with winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Wibbadune (8-12) at Kempton 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Rafferty (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 6th of 12, 3l behind Grand Palace (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ai Hawa (IRE) 11-2 (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway when hung left over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 13, 6l behind Beck (8-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Marmooq 12-1 (9-7) Towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 11, 18l behind Golden Surprice (9-7) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Patavium Prince (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 4l behind Grand Palace (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Double Valentine 5-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced final 2f, 8th of 12, 6l behind Epidaurian King (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Pauvic (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 10l behind Aggbag (8-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
