tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden 1f out, one pace
towards rear, headway 4f out to chase leaders, ridden 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, held on well
held up and keen, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
led, headed approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
with leader, led approaching 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed towards finish
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out
Nonrunner
Lindoro should be far too good at these weights but his current welfare is a big concern and a safer bet looks to be RAVI RIVER. David Evans' charge won his first race for the yard last time when staying on strongly at Wolverhampton. This is very much his trip and he rarely runs a bad race in this sort of company, so with doubts about some of these this gelding rates the most likely winner. There can be no doubting that a peak-form Lindoro would win this head-in-chest but the Quinlan runner has disappointed of late. Excuses can be made for his pulled-up performance at Southwell but he was well backed to win at Wolverhampton last time, eventually trailing home in last place. He's got 13lbs and more in hand of these if his rating of 85 is to be believed, but with those runs fresh in the memory there has to be a big doubt as to whether he's that good and a watching brief is advised. Obe Gold is a credit to connections and will keep trying for pressure, but he's had a lot of racing lately and for all his consistency only one of his 15 career wins has come over this far. Of more interest is Lastkingofscotland who comes out better at the weights and was only just denied in a similar affair last time, with both those mentioned more likely to oblige than Count Ceprano and Meydan Dubai. The last-named was held at Lingfield on Wednesday and hasn't signalled a return to form is around the corner, so in a more interesting than usual seller we'll side with the solid profile of Ravi River.
Lindoro 7-2fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 12, 18l behind Bentley (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol in Dec.
Ravi River (IRE) 9-4fav (9-9) Mid-division, not clear run entering straight until switched right just over 1f out, picked up well inside final furlong, ran on to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol beating Jord (9-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Held up, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 13, 6l behind Harting Hill (9-3) at Kempton 7f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Meydan Dubai (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Tracked winner, no chance and well beaten over 2f out, lost poor 2nd and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 17l behind Whodunit (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol.
Waterloo Dock 14-1 (8-11) Led early, tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Copperwood (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Ishibee (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 7l behind Final Drive (9-12) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Obe Gold 2-1 (9-4) Prominent on outside, pushed along halfway, chased winner over 2f out, no impression final furlong, eased when held well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Flores Sea (8-12) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs.
Lastkingofscotland (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Chased leader, led narrowly over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 11, 3l behind Charlie Smirke (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
