held up, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to 2nd, well inside final furlong
led briefly, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, challenged leader over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon held
soon tracking leaders on outside, weakened over 2f out
held up, effort 2f out, kept on
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, kept on
Smokin Joe, Bridgewater Boys and Watchmaker look the three to concentrate on in this handicap and the vote is given to Smokin Joe. The selection won a shade cozily last time out when beating Pietersen granted he has a six pound penalty but he looks sure to have the race run to suit again and he looks the one to be on. Bridgewater Boys rates the main danger on his latest second behind Birkside but he has been done no favours by the draw and he looks opposable on that basis. Watchmaker is another with place claims on his latest second behind Fateful Attraction but only 1 win in 11 starts is off putting. Barton Sands won last time out but that was a classified stakes race and this looks much more competitive while Meditation has yet to win over this trip and looks weighted up to his best and for the winner we return to Smokin Joe.
Smokin Joe 7-2fav (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, soon clear, comfortably, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Pietersen (8-13) by 2l, 14 ran.
Meditation 12-1 (8-8) Led, steady pace, quickened over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 8, nk behind Gaelic Princess (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Greek Easter (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, short of room over 2f out, switched right to challenge over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Mutamaasek (8-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Josh 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along 6f out, behind final 3f, last of 11, 26l behind Lobengula (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Best Selection 14-1 (8-12) In touch, headway 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Langford (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Oct.
African Pursuits (USA) 18-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 15, 7l behind Hint of Spring (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
Paradise Dancer (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) In touch, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Demisemiquaver (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Watchmaker 11-10fav (9-8) Started slowly, soon tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Fateful Attraction (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Stark Contrast (USA) 9-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 6l behind Alpes Maritimes (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Barton Sands (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol beating Dishdasha (9-3) by a hd, 14 ran.
Bridgewater Boys 10-3 (9-3) In touch, chased leaders and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Birkside (9-11) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Nov.
