dwelt, held up in rear, some late headway, never a factor
held up in rear, promising headway on outside over 2f out, came wide straight, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders
slowly into stride, recovered to track leader after 1f, ridden, hung left and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, soon tracking leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong
always towards rear, struggling and no chance final 2f
dwelt, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, struggling 2f out
made all, kicked on 2f out, hard driven final furlong, kept on
took keen hold, in touch, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on one pace
tracked winner 1f, settled 3rd, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression, just held on for 2nd
in touch, headway to chase leading pair approaching final furlong, pressed for 2nd near finish, no impression on winner
Not a hot contest and one where FONG'S ALIBI gets the nod from Hip Hip Hooray, while Narcisco is interesting. The last-named showed some smart form in his native Germany, at least in the context of this race, and he carries the highest BHA rating of the field here. This trip should suit, and if he can run to that mark then he would have a serious chance, though after a couple of ordinary efforts over jumps last year he has a bit to prove. Hip Hip Hooray has not yet won in 11 attempts on artificial surfaces, but has nonetheless put in some decent efforts in defeat. She is not badly off at the weights today and has definite frame claims. Play Up Pompey can go well but has lots to find at these weights and should not be up to the task, while Flighty Fellow is worth consideration after a Wolverhampton win last time, though he may not get home over this far if his CV is any guide. Meanwhile, Fong's Alibi likes it at this track, and races over his optimum trip today. He will be straighter for his first run back after a break and has a good chance at these weights, so we will side with him.
Flighty Fellow (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Started slowly, in rear, ridden on outer when hung left over 1f out, keeping on at one pace when hampered final 100 yards, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Matjar (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Artreju (GER) 100-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 10, 44l behind Desert Vision (10-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f am hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Flight Wise 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold early, held up towards rear, niggled along halfway, struggling from 5f out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Nodforms Violet (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct.
Kings Topic (USA) 7-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 11l behind Magnitude (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f App sell stks (6) pol.
Narcisco (GER) (8-7) 4th of 2, 5l behind Allanit (9-2) at Dusseldorf(GER) 1m 2f stk gd in Aug '08.
Play Up Pompey 14-1 (8-9) Held up, towards rear, hard ridden and headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Jiggalong (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Hold The Bucks (USA) 12-1 (8-7) Mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, stayed on into modest 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 9, 10l behind Whodunit (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol.
Lady Longcroft 17-2 (8-13) Chase leader, weakened 1f out, 9th of 10, 28l behind All Guns Firing (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Fong's Alibi 7-1 (8-7) Tracked leading trio, headway into 3rd 2f out, went well held 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with unchallenged winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Whodunit (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol.
Hip Hip Hooray 12-1 (8-4) Prominent, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, not quicken, not clear run inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cupid's Glory (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
