steadied in rear, pushed along well over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden clear
pulled hard in rear and hung badly right throughout, virtually pulled up
soon led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, hard driven to lead well over 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace
A decent claimer where it is hard to rule many out; preference is for SLIP ahead of Sabre Light and Blacktoft. Jim Boyle's gelding is rated 84, a mark which probably makes life in handicap company tough, and hence is now dropped in class. There is a fair pot for winning this claimer and the former Marcus Tregoning inmate is fancied to win his second claimer in a row. Don Pietro needs to improve on his last run where he was disappointing at Great Leighs; he now wears cheek-pieces for the first time. Inquest was well-fancied last time but has been given a break since, whilst Blacktoft could be interesting back in claiming company receiving 10lbs from the selection. Sabre Light really took to the visor last time; his Lingfield win was comfortable and he has a tremendous strike-rate on the all-weather. A competitive heat, with Slip given the nod.
Slip 9-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led well over 1f out, edged left approaching final furlong, hard pressed and joined well inside final furlong, asserted close home, won at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol beating Teasing (8-10) by a nk, 6 ran.
Sabre Light 9-4 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader and second over 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, pushed out, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol beating Gasat (8-6) by 3l, 6 ran.
Cover Drive (USA) 15-2 (9-8) Steadied start, took keen hold behind, headway and chased leaders 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon hanging right, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, 39l behind Imperium (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Don Pietro 6-1 (9-10) Pulled hard, prominent, chased winner 7f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 28l behind Vine Street (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Inquest 5-2jt-fav (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, last of 9, 23l behind Sabre Light (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo clm (6) pol in Nov.
Wahoo Sam (USA) 13-2 (8-9) Close up, chased winner 6f out until over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 11l behind King's Colour (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Blacktoft (USA) 6-1 (9-2) Led, clear 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Murrin (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
