started slowly, held up, came wide entering straight, always in rear
slowly into stride, took keen hold, always in rear, eased inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, one pace
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon dropped towards rear, no danger after
prominent, chased leader over 4f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway well over 2f out, hung left final furlong, kept on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no impression on winner
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, switched left well over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling
chased leader until over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, led over 2f out, kept on well
SPARKLING MONTJEU is given only a tentative vote to land this competitive handicap with both Dazzling Bagum and Rare Coincidence worth noting. The selection managed to win against selling company at Brighton in October and was then sent over hurdles were she ran a couple of fine races in defeat. Her latest effort at Southwell was probably her best effort to date when finishing third of eleven. She would only need to recapture that form to be in the shake up once again. Dazzling Begum has similar form having broken her maiden tag in a seller at Leicester and she was not far away when third at Lingfield last time out so she is worth a look at in the betting market. Rare Coincidence has been around a while and is running for the 112th time. In that period he has won 15 times and although winless since last February he has been knocking on the door of late so another good show can be expected.
Stravita 11-2 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 12, 5l behind Snowberry Hill (10-6) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol.
Corrib (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) In touch, raced keenly, ridden well over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 12, 13l behind Amazing King (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Rare Coincidence 14-1 (9-9) Held up, led over 8f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Zuwaar (9-5) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Birthday Star (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Behind and never on terms, 9th of 12, 19l behind Snowberry Hill (10-6) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol.
Sparkling Montjeu (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, driven and kept on to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Fortunella (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Nov.
Taxman (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Always behind, 9th of 13, 15l behind Berry Baby (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Hurforharmony (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Mid-division, weakened 5f out, 15th of 16, more than 11l behind Eritrea (8-13) at Bellewstown 1m 6f hcp 0-60 gd in Jul.
Niqaab 12-1 (8-2) Held up, weakened over 4f out, last of 8, 19l behind Stringsofmyheart (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m 2f fll hcp (5) pol in May.
Summer Bounty 28-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in last, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 9l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol.
Space Pirate 20-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no response, 7th of 9, 7l behind Can Can Star (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Piverina (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-9) Slowly away, held up towards rear, headway on outer to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Fortunella (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Nov.
Prairie Hawk (USA) 66-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, under pressure 4f out, tailed off over 2f out, 8th of 9, 42l behind Distinctive Image (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2f mdn stk (4) pol in Sept.
Dazzling Begum 11-2 (8-13) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, driven and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Whodunit (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
