in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
raced wide, held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression
close up, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
dwelt, mid-division, effort approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
led, clear over 3f out, ran wide bend 2f out, soon headed, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
ALFRESCO looked an unlucky loser last time out and we will take John Best's runner to prove that was no fluke by obliging today ahead of Ravi River and Autumn Blades. The selection was all dressed up with nowhere to go last time out over course and distance and looks very well handicapped on his best form and so this gelding can go close today granted better luck in running, although we don't expect the horse to go off anywhere close to the 33/1 quoted last time. Ravi River finished ahead of Alfresco that day when winning and Jim Boyle's horse should run well having shown a liking for the surface on more than one occasion previously although it will take something close to a career best for the horse to score under the inexperienced claimer James P Sullivan. Autumn Blades continues to pay his way but this frustrating sort was eventually well held in claiming company last time out having travelled in his customary eye-catching style until the furlong marker before finding very little. His latent ability may be enough to snatch a place today whilst both Southandwest and I Confess look well handicapped if able to recapture their best form but for the winner we return to Alfresco to bounce back to form with a bang.
Gallantry 11-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Hellbender (8-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Desert Dreamer (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 10, 7l behind Hellbender (8-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Alfresco 33-1 (9-6) Steadied start, held up in rear, smooth headway travelling well into straight on outer, not clear run from over 1f out, until switched left well inside final furlong, shaken up, kept on strongly towards finish, 4th of 14, 1l behind Ravi River (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Ravi River (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Hellbender (8-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Autumn Blades (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Held up, headway 3f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Ingleby Princess (8-1) at Southwell 7f clm stks (6) fbs.
King's Colour 7-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Dubai Meydan (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Trafalgar Square 8-1 (8-10) Steadied start, in rear, ridden 2f out, not troubled leaders, 8th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Hellbender (8-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Harlech Castle 16-1 (9-0) Mid division, lost place over 2f out, last of 12, 9l behind Fantasy Explorer (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Southandwest (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Pegasus Again (9-9) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
I Confess 10-3fav (8-9) Led, headed over 4f out, chased leader until approaching 2f out, no extra, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Ektimaal (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led approaching final furlong, ridden, edged right, ran on, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Rio Cobolo (8-9) by 2l, 14 ran.
