always towards rear
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven clear over 1f out, held on under pressure
broke well, soon tracking leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened close home
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon chasing winner, stayed on well towards finish
held up mid-division, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon one pace
behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on, never trouble leaders
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden and one pace
An ultra-competitive handicap and Midmaar is the selection ahead of Muktasb, Sir Don and The Carpet Man. Michael Wigham's charge has a few near misses to his name but is worth a look in this race as his better form has obtained over six rather than seven furlongs. It will be interesting to see if the Christmas money is on this afternoon. Muktasb goes well for Adam Kirby so his backers will be happy to see the partnership reunited. His record of places tells us all we need to know. Sir Don is a useful performer at lowly levels and can be expected to have stripped fitter for his reappearance. The Carpet Man is archetypal banded stakes performer and might need a little more from the assessor before his turn comes around. Fish Called Johnny has run more than his fare share of stinkers of late while Herb Paris has been incapable of retrieving his Irish form and blinkers replace the cheekpieces. Time Share looks best of the rest. Not a race to pour the midnight oil over and Midmaar can gain compensation for consistency.
Fish Called Johnny 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear until kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 6l behind Millfield (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Herb Paris (FR) 16-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and hung right over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Fast Freddie (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Balerno 16-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 8th of 17, 2l behind Inka Dancer (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Sir Don (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Prominent 1f, soon pushed along, behind final 2f, 10th of 13, 5l behind Fast Freddie (9-0) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Midmaar (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 3l behind Park Valley Prince (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Muktasb (USA) 8-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 12, 2l behind Fast Freddie (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Mulberry Lad (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Led until ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 5l behind Desert Dreamer (9-5) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Mr Loire 14-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Grand Palace (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Nov.
Time Share (IRE) 11-1 (8-0) Slowly into stride, raced keenly, held up, never troubled leaders, 8th of 12, 2l behind Bond Becks (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Coranglais 66-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 8l behind Green Lagonda (9-3) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol.
Cayman Breeze 16-1 (8-4) Behind, hampered over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 6l behind Grand Palace (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Nov.
The Carpet Man 9-4 (9-3) Close up, ridden 2f out, no chance with winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Wibbadune (8-12) at Kempton 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
