started slowly, held up and keen, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, took never nearer 3rd last strides
chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, lost 2 places near finish
held up, pushed along halfway, headway on inside over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
held up in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, no progress final furlong
raced wide, held up, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
made all, ridden clear over 1f out, held on gamely, all out
chased leaders on outside, wide on bend 2f out, ridden over 1f kept on same pace inside final furlong, lost 2 places near finish
chased winner until ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Pensax Lad is running very well and a penalty for last week's Chelmsford victory shouldn't be too much of a problem. He was conceding Burning Thread 2lb when just touched off here a couple of weeks ago and, with Gary Mahon's claim to help, must have a chance of reversing the form. Third-placed Sandfrankskipsgo was returning from a break so should get much closer while Royal Birth started favourite when narrowly beaten by today's rival Searchlight at Wolverhampton in March, though the winner has been beaten in eight subsequent starts. RED STRIPES wasn't beaten far in three all-weather runs at this level before running well enough when stepped up two classes at Lingfield. He's just 2lb higher than his last victory and is handed the vote. This is Desert Command's level and he ran well in a better race than this here last month so should get into the action.
Searchlight 11-1 (9-0) Dwelt, always in rear, 11th of 13, 6l behind Avon Breeze (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Sandfrankskipsgo 9-2jfav (9-7) Led early, chased leaders, ridden inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Burning Thread (9-1) at Kempton 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Burning Thread (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along and headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, held on well, won at Kempton 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Pensax Lad (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Taajub (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders on rail, driven and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Chilworth Icon (9-3) at Sandown 5f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Desert Command 10-1 (8-12) Prominent, led inside final furlong, soon headed, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Judicial (9-1) at Kempton 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Royal Birth 11-4fav (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Searchlight (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Jebediah Shine 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders on inside, effort to challenge over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, just held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Snow Cloud (9-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Red Stripes (USA) 8-1 (8-2) Close up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Lightscameraction (9-7) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Desert Strike 10-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, faded inside final furlong, last of 9, 4 1/2l behind Snow Cloud (9-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Pensax Lad (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, led close home, won at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Doctor Parkes (9-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
