mid-division, pressed leader entering final 2f, ridden and went right over 1f out, every chance, outpaced final furlong
towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, effort over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression, lost 2nd post
towards rear, ridden along 3f out, lost touch over 2f out, soon tailed off
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, no extra when headed final 100 yards, one pace and lost 2 places towards finish
raced keenly, led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened qucikly over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to take 2nd post, not troubled winner
held up behind, going well on inside 2f out, soon ridden and not quicken over 1f out
tracked leaders on inside, ridden to press leader 1f out, led final 100 yards, soon quicken clear, readily
An interesting handicap where PHILATELIST is selected to give weight and a beating to his seven declared opponents, while Sgt Schultz looks a danger. The selection may well be decent value here after disappointing when last seen out around six weeks ago, as he had here over course and distance a week earlier. He acts well on the Polytrack, is dropped back into handicaps from Listed company now and with the Michael Jarvis yard going well we will side with him. Sgt Schultz caught the eye when a comfortable Great Leighs winner over this trip last time. He has to cope with a 7lb rise if he is to win this and it is a fair bit stronger than his latest outing and we will take him on. Naomh Geileis was not far away on a couple of Group 3 contests in 2007 and certainly appeared in need of the run when returning from a 14 month absence over 7f here last month. This longer trip is not certain to suit if pedigree is of any value and she looks best watched. John Terry is back on the same mark from which he won here 11 months ago but is probably best over 1m 4f, Art Man is also back on a good mark again with track and trip his liking, and Lady Jane Digby is probably the pick of the Mark Johnston-trained pair, but Philatelist can put his stamp on this one.
Philatelist (USA) 5-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders and effort over 1f out, no extra and weakened quickly final furlong, 5th of 11, 9l behind Dansant (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, improved to chase leader 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec beating Australia Day (9-7) by 4l, 6 ran.
Naomh Geileis (USA) 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 5, 15l behind Aeroplane (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
John Terry (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Bandama (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Aviso (GER) 33-1 (9-5) Slowly away, always behind, last of 10, 40l behind Flipando (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Baylini 20-1 (9-6) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 6, 10l behind Sgt Schultz (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Art Man 11-1 (9-4) Slowly away, raced in last place, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Red Somerset (9-5) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Lady Jane Digby 8-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Councellor (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
