keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left well over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home
keen, in touch, ridden to lead 1f out, headed last strides
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened towards finish
always towards rear
with leader to over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, headway to go 2nd over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead last strides
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Saameq gets the call here ahead of Countback and Cayman Calypso. Countback stayed on late after a slow start at Wolves last time and could have more to come, while Moon Shot ought to be competitive from his rating, but has recently been beaten in sellers. Saameq returned from a break to land a 12-furlong race at Wolverhampton last time and, with a little improvement possible at a trip over which he remains unexposed, he gets the verdict. However, you have to bear in mind that Little Richard is closely-weighted with him based on that run. If Bella Pavlina takes to the trip, she looks competitively weighted, and Cayman Calypso gained a win at the first time of asking for Pam Sly last time and, even though that was in a slowly-run amatuer affair, you cannot rule him out here. Makarim is held if applying literal form. Finally, Lysander's Quest won from a higher mark over two miles at Lingfield in August but, in an interesting affair, the vote goes to Saameq.
Airgusta (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind Blue Hills (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Countback (FR) 20-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Sovereign Spirit (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Moon Shot 11-1 (9-4) Dwelt, soon prominent, led over 1f out, weakened, headed near line, 2nd of 12, nk behind Mungo Jerry (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Cayman Calypso (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Prominent, went 2nd 5f out, led 4f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, just held on, won at Lingfield 2m amt hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Reggae Rhythm (10-11) by a shd, 12 ran.
Paradise Valley 10-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, last of 12, 27l behind Blue Hills (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Power Strike (USA) 12-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 6th of 13, 11l behind Medjugorje Message (8-10) at Southwell 1m 6f stk (7) fbs in Oct.
Jadeeron 16-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3l behind Tipes (8-10) at Lingfield 2m stk (7) pol in Dec.
Little Richard (IRE) 4-1fav (8-11) Held up, headway over 5f out, switched right 2f out, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 12, nk behind Blue Hills (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Thorpeness (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Prominent, chased leaders 2f out, ridden, one pace 1f out, 5th of 12, 2l behind Mungo Jerry (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Saameq (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Nov beating Little Richard (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bella Pavlina 16-1 (8-9) Chased leader until over 2f out, last of 13, 19l behind Mister Completely (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (7) pol in Dec.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Held up, headway 8f out, every chance inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 14, shd behind Tipes (8-10) at Lingfield 2m stk (7) pol in Dec.
Makarim (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Tipes (8-10) at Lingfield 2m stk (7) pol in Dec.
