broke well, pulled hard, soon steadied and held up, some headway on inside over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace
chased leader to over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden 2f out, ran on to lead and edged left near finish
soon led, clear 3f out, edged right and headed near finish
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, effort when rider dropped rein and short of room inside final furlong
dwelt, soon switched left start, switched right and headway on outside over 4f out, weakend well over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakend opver 1f out
very slowly away, always behind
in rear, ridden halfway, driven and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
A wide open handicap rounds off the card and as usual in these types of events there are plenty in with chances but the principals look to be Arctic Desert, First Show and Mystic Man and the tentative vote is given to First Show. The selection was a good second behind Davenport in a better race when last seen and if he is fit enough to do him self justice after a 125 day absence he will be very hard to beat. Arctic Desert rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Glad Big and although he has a penalty for that win he is still well weighted on his best form of that season but consistency is not his strong point and for that reason he is opposed. Mystic Man has been running well in claimers of late but he looks weighted up to his best in handicaps. Wavertree Warrior is from a yard in form and was a fair third last time out but his over all profile leaves him with a little to find and for the winner we return to First Show.
Mystic Man (FR) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ran on to lead entering final furlong, headed inside last, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Marko Jadeo (9-3) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol in Feb.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, disputed lead over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Northern Desert (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
Pamir (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, pushed along halfway, never a factor, 7th of 10, 6l behind Mr Lambros (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Arctic Desert 10-1 (9-4) Took keen hold on inner, in touch, effort going well over 1f out, shaken up and quickened to lead close home, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Glad Big (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Habshan (USA) 9-2fav (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 5l behind Farewell Gift (8-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Kabeer 40-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 9th of 11, 6l behind Atlantic Quest (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
First Show 5-1 (8-10) Raced centre, chased leader, overall leader 5f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 17, 1l behind Davenport (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Alekhine (IRE) 14-1 (8-1) Held up in rear, ridden, headway wide over 2f out, effort over 1f out, not reach leaders, one pace, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Barry Island (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Quantum Leap 9-1 (8-5) Keen hold and held up in rear, kept on final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Northern Desert (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
Carry On Doc 25-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and behind from 4f out, 11th of 12, 16l behind Merrymadcap (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Kew The Music 15-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, outpaced and behind, ran on strongly final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 13, 4l behind Nan Jan (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Jake The Snake (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (9-0) Always prominent, led over 2f out, edged left and kept up to work inside final furlong, better for race, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (D) pol in Dec '03 beating Secret Place (9-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
