held up, short of room halfway, edged left final furlong, ran on close home
broke well, soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, faded
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
chased leader, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken close home
in touch on inside, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, headdway halfway, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
There is the suspicion that Hidden Dragon will be better suited to this surface than the fibresand at Southwell, even though he ran on well when scoring in decisive fashion there on his return to action after his winter break. He gets the nod over previous Lingfield course and distance winners Treasure Cay and Zarzu, who had no answers when the selection kicked for home when they met nine days ago. The former has already accounted for Polish Emperor on a couple of occasions this all weather season and should again confirm his superiority. However, he, in turn, may be better suited to the track at Wolverhampton and he will have to work very hard to get the better of the top weight today. Similar comments apply to Zarzu, who has always been best over sprint distances but is notoriously hard to get right. Swedish raider Media Hora has the speed of a quarter horse and patently failed to get home over six furlongs here before Christmas. He is not hard to overlook on that form. Especially as he is likely to be taken for the lead by the first-time visored The Lord, who is dropping to a reasonable mark but basically appears to have lost his way for the time being. Therefore, with doubts remaining about many of his opponents, this appears to be a good opportunity for Hidden Dragon to make amends for Thursday's run before being forced to step up in class, as he is now on his career highest mark.
Hidden Dragon (USA) 10-11fav Led, ridden and hung left from 2f out, headed 1f out, unable to quicken, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Glaramara at Southwell 6f stk (C1) std.
Media Hora (CHI) 8-1 Led to over 2f out, weakened quickly 1f out, 11th of 12, 5l behind Desert Lord at Lingfield 6f hcp (C1) pol in Dec.
Dusty Dazzler (IRE) 9-1 Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Pinchbeck at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-85 (D) gf in May.
Polish Emperor (USA) 8-1 Chased leader, ridden and led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Desert Lord at Lingfield 6f hcp (C1) pol in Dec.
Treasure Cay 5-6fav Slowly into stride, keen, tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hidden Dragon at Southwell 5f hcp (C1) fbs in Jan.
Zarzu 7-1 Held up, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Hidden Dragon at Southwell 5f hcp (C1) fbs in Jan.
Justalord 11-1 Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Dancing Mystery at Southwell 5f hcp (C1) fbs in Jan.
The Lord 5-1 In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 5l behind Majik at Southwell 6f hcp (D2) fbs in Jan.
