led, headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in touch, no impression from over 1f out
held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression
tracked leader and keen, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, chased leaders well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always behind
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, soon eased
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well
mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, one pace
Breeders Cup hero Muhannak is a class act but he was a very naughty boy at Kempton last time and a safer option is another class performer CESARE who is preferred to Gitano Hernando. James Fanshawe's experienced eight-year-old is clear on the official ratings and carries no penalty for this as he hasn't won so far this season. On the form book his three-length sixth to Delegator in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood in August is head and shoulders above anything else and he is preferred. Acclaimed shaped with promise last year in a Newbury conditions contest following a romp at Windsor on his debut; he could be anything and with the stable in good form he needs close inspection in the betting. Foolin Myself romped home at Southwell last time out and with the handicapper dolling out a 12lb rise in the weights his trainer has had little option but to step him up in class. Metropolitan Man looked all at sea at Epsom when last seen 468 days ago, Mia's Boy has gone off the boil of late but may appreciate a return to this track, whilst the ex-French Salden Licht is an unknown for this UK debut and his form is hard to weigh up. Khor Dubai is consistent but the feeling is that he needs to improve in this stronger race against his elders, whilst Gitano Hernando has missed a couple of recent engagements and the market will help guide to his chance if taking part. Muhannak will be US-bound fairly shortly but his trainer will be keen to get this proper run into him with the horse pulling himself up last time out having completed less than a circuit at Kempton. This is the first jaunt to Wolverhampton for the selection but as a previous Lingfield winner, Cesare is fancied to gain a first win of 2009.
Wymering File (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Broke well, led 1f, soon steadied to rear, ridden 3f out, no headway, 7th of 8, 10l behind Ave (8-7) at Salisbury 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) gf in Aug.
Acclaimed (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Yaddree (8-6) at Newbury 1m 1f 3yo stk (3) gd in Sep '08.
Cesare 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leading pair, driven and outpaced well over 1f out, no chance after, 6th of 7, 4l behind Delegator (8-9) at Goodwood 1m stks (1) gd in Aug.
Foolin Myself 7-2fav (9-11) Keen, in touch, led on bit well over 2f out, clear over 1f out, comfortably, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in Aug beating Xpres Maite (9-8) by 7l, 13 ran.
Metropolitan Man 10-1 (9-4) Always last, struggling straight, eased when no chance final 2f, last of 8, 28l behind Blythe Knight (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun '08.
Mia's Boy 16-1 (9-6) Mid-division, driven and outpaced over 1f out, soon beaten, 10th of 19, 13l behind Roaring Forte (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Muhannak (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, hung left soon after winning post bend after 2f, refused to race and soon pulled up, in a race won by Kirklees (9-9) at Kempton 1m 4f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1) pol, 10 ran.
Salden Licht (8-13) 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Chopastair (9-4) at Craon(FR) 1m stk in Sep '08.
Scartozz 2-1fav (8-10) Tracked clear leader, pushed along and closed over 2f out, hard ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure, won at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol in Apr beating Jake The Snake (9-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Gitano Hernando 7-2 (8-12) Held up, switched left over 1f, driven and ran on final furlong, held, 2nd of 7, hd behind South Easter (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in May.
Khor Dubai (IRE) 11-8fav (8-9) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression and well held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Taqdeyr (8-11) at Warwick 7f cond Stakes (3) gd in Aug.
