chased leaders on outside, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong
soon pressed leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, no extra when headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, late headway on outer over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, not troubled leaders
behind, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to take 2nd final stride
in touch, headway on inside and effort entering final furlong, chased winner, lost 2nd final stride
led early, stayed close up, ridden and effort over 1f out, chased leading pair until lost 3rd inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon struggling and well behind over 2f out
JOSS STICK is the pick with Spic N'Span and Whiskey Creek put up as feasible alternatives. The BHA computer has made life interesting with a number of the more fancied runners drawn wide. Joss Stick, who won a six furlong apprentices contest last time out, will be here without a penalty for that success and having already shown form in better company over this trip, we take him to follow up on this occasion. Spic N' Span has cut out his niche at Southwell so it remains to be seen as to whether he can translate his form onto this surface. Whiskey Creek seems capable of showing form on any artificial surface. His rider's claim will prove invaluable. Admiral Bond makes his first visit to Lingfield. The market is watched to see if the long journey from North Yorkshire was worth it. Babel won a poor handicap in Ireland before joining current connections so the market is watched. Now You See Me was finishing well at Lingfield on New Years Eve so its unlikely that Tony Culhane will set her as much to do on this instance. Pegasus Dancer is in a visor. Joss Stick is the selection.
Whiskey Creek 11-2 (8-13) Prominent, led over 2f out, driven out, readily, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating The Geester (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Spic 'n Span 7-2jt-fav (9-2) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, readily, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Ridley Didley (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Admiral Bond (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and edged left from over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on to go 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Nickel Silver (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Now You See Me 5-2fav (9-8) Held up, took closer order 1f, ridden and stayed on, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Summer Rose (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Joss Stick 12-1 (8-12) In touch, chased leader 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out and held on well towards finish, won at Lingfield 6f app hcp (6) pol beating Compton Classic (8-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
Teen Ager (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, ridden halfway, soon struggling, last of 8, 10l behind Mutamared (9-5) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol.
Babel 33-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden halfway, soon driven and weakened, 9th of 11, 27l behind Came Back (9-5) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Pegasus Dancer (FR) 16-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, not quickened and one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Ten Down (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lake Sabina 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders 2f, soon lost place, in rear 2f out, last of 8, 9l behind Nickel Silver (9-5) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Sir Don (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) In touch, lost place 3f out, soon ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 5l behind Ten Down (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
