prominent, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, good headway over 2f out, soon every chance, led 1f out, held on well
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon switched left, stayed on well final furlong
in touch, lost place 4f out, weakened final 2f
led, ridden and headed 1f out, soon edged right and no extra
prominent, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, never nearer
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never dangerous
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 1f, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace final furlong
Grand Palace is thriving just now and is selected in preference to Manello, Two Acres and Regal Royale. The last named is capable at this level and shaped as if he were on the way back with a solid effort at Kempton earlier this month. He does need to prove that effort was not just a flash-in-the-pan. But, as he is now on a very attractive mark compared with his best rating during his time with Sir Michael Stoute, this well-bred fellow should not be dismissed lightly. Two Acres is a lightly raced four-year-old that adapted well to the Lingfield surface on his solitary previous visit. A repeat dose would bring the son of Danetime right into the thick of the action and he is one to seriously monitor in the betting. Manello has long threatened to win a race of this nature and also merits respect. However, his record of 23 straight defeats is off-putting; so he may be best covered with an each-way play. Grand Palace, on the other hand, comes here in great heart and, as he at least has a recently win under his belt, Derek Shaw's gelding looks the most reliable option here.
Bahamian Duke 9-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 5l behind Bond Becks (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Grand Palace (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven to chase winner 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Trinculo (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs.
Regal Royale 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leader halfway, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd just over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Angel Voices (8-7) at Kempton 6f stk 0-55 (6) pol.
Mannello 7-2 (7-12) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Green Lagonda (9-3) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol.
Arfinnit (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Reared start, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 3l behind Fast Freddie (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Two Acres (IRE) 5-2fav (8-11) Slowly into stride, headway halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Gone'n'dunnett (8-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Sir Loin 6-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 10, 12l behind Sands Crooner (8-13) at Lingfield 5f app hcp (6) pol.
Calloff The Search 5-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon driven to chase leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, soon every chance, not quicken, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Grand Assault (9-3) at W'hampton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Rafferty (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Slowly away, raced keenly, held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 11, 3l behind Joy And Pain (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Patavium Prince (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Keen, held up, not trouble leaders, 9th of 11, 7l behind Joy And Pain (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Tibinta 16-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, 10th of 11, 9l behind Triskaidekaphobia (8-6) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Blushing Russian (IRE) 40-1 (8-1) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, 7l behind Our Fugitive (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
