mid-division, ridden over 4f out, effort over 3f out, hung left and weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
tracked leader to over 9f out, remained close up, ridden and weakened 2f out
keen and held up in rear, headway and edged left from over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
pulled hard, held up on inside in mid-division, switched right and headway to track leader over 9f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on, unable to quicken final furlong
led, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
Winning chaser GOBLIN is the selection to win on the level for the fourth time while Limelight and Prince of Medina are the next best of a bad bunch. The worry for the selection is this trip may be on the sharp side for him with all of the gelding's best performances coming over a longer. However a winner in a chase off a mark of 128 his rating of 48 in this sphere is promising and even more so in this company. At the other end of the handicap Limelight run a good race under a similar mark last time still unexposed he could improve but his best chance to break the maiden's tag may have past him last time. Prince Of Medina is one win from two over course and distance and is still above his last winning mark. His failure to score off lowly ratings is a concern but this field is hardly full of quality. With that last statement in mind Prince Charlemagne, Historical Giant and Valentine Blue have enough about them to share the prize pot but Goblin marginally appeals the most.
Goblin 3-1jt-fav (10-12) Held up, headway over 4f, one pace final 2f, 4th of 14, 24l behind Hi Dancer (10-6) at Southwell 2m amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Awkward and went right start, held up towards rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 12, 7l behind Snow Dancer (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Check Up (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leader until over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 12, 17l behind Amazing King (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Comeintothespace (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Always rear, 11th of 13, well behind Mohawk Star (9-12) at Kempton 2m hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Usetheforce (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Always in rear, never on terms, 10th of 12, 10l behind Northern Desert (8-10) at Lingfield 7f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Historical Giant (USA) 3-1fav (8-9) Raced wide, in touch, driven to chase leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 5l behind Chalice Welcome (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Prince of Medina 6-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd briefly inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Tusculum (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Limelight (USA) 15-2 (8-12) In touch, hard ridden to challenge well over 1f out, not run on, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Amwell Brave (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Steady Gaze 100-1 (9-3) Held up, struggling when hung left final 3f, 8th of 10, 37l behind Who's This (9-12) at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Valentine Blue 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, every chance 3f out, soon beaten, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Castaneous (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Jan.
Captivate 16-1 (7-11) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 16l behind Share The Feeling (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan '07.
