The application of a visor helped concentrate the efforts of PICANSORT and he duly won his maiden in good style over the minimum trip at Kempton. With scope for further progress, Brett Johnson's charge gets the vote against these older, more exposed sprinters. Towy Boy has been in fine form at Wolverhampton but has been raised 8lb since winning and recent Kempton winner Desert Strike looks a more potent threat. Veteran sprinter Fromsong ran well here last time and won off a higher mark earlier this year.
Towy Boy (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 9, hd behind Wooden King (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Picansort 11-4 (9-3) Held up in close touch on outside, headway on outside over 1f out, led 1f out, soon clear, won at Kempton 5f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov beating Papageno (9-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Triple Dream 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd on inside well over 1f out until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Desert Strike (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Desert Strike 6-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Benato The Great (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Fromsong (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, effort when gap closed on inside 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Stratton Banker (9-5) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Straboe (USA) 14-1 (9-6) Soon pushed along in rear, not trouble leaders, 7th of 9, 4l behind Wooden King (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Mythical Blue (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Chased leader, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 8l behind Kinigi (8-6) at Bath 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep.
Speak The Truth (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Chased leading trio, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Kate Skate (9-4) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Oct.
Thoughtsofstardom 8-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 6l behind Mr Skipiton (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Cloth Ears 25-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, chased leader, wide on 1st turn and bend 2f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 9, 14l behind Desert Strike (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
