prominent, ridden well over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
held up in rear, gradually switched right over 1f out, soon hard ridden, ran on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
soon led, ridden over 1f out, soon edged right, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, raced keenly, weakened well over 1f out
always towards rear
held up, came wide entering straight, soon edged left, no headway, eased inside final furlong
held up, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, never dangerous
led early, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon chasing leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden, ran on
held up in rear, not clear run well over 1f out, headway 1f out, not trouble leaders
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never on terms
This is typically competitive but DIVINE FORCE could take the beating and is preferred to Weet A Surprise and Light Sleeper. Michael Wigham's gelding does have to cope with a drop back in trip but he escapes a penalty for that seven furlong victory and is well handicapped as a result. The shorter distance has to be a concern as does the fact that he's been held from similar marks in the past but he hasn't got too many miles on the clock and his recent efforts suggest that he could be on an upward curve. Light Sleeper isn't on an upward curve but he has been well supported on his last two starts suggesting that he shows up well at home. He's relatively unexposed, has a top jockey in the saddle and could be a threat to all if the penny drops. Weet A Surprise is a more reliable proposition and she comes here in fine form following a narrow defeat and a victory. She's going to need a bit of luck from her high draw in a race of this nature but has won from similar marks in the past and is at the top of her game. A tight affair but we're with Divine Force.
Brierty (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Held up, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 7l behind Autumn Blades (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Sarah's Art (IRE) 17-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway between horses over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Fantasy Fighter (8-4) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fen Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 9, 7l behind Capone (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Weet A Surprise 20-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Onceaponatime (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Came Back (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, last of 8, 20l behind Figaro Flyer (8-5) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Apr.
Light Sleeper Evensfav (9-3) Tracked leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Lord Fidelio (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Dec.
Norse Warrior (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Awkward start, always in rear, last of 8, 5l behind Excellent Show (9-3) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Imperial House 10-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Double Bill (8-13) by shd, 8 ran.
Titus Gent 13-2 (9-2) Soon led, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 4l behind Gap Princess (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Westwood 33-1 (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 7th of 11, 5l behind Perfect Act (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Divine Force 15-8fav (8-12) Went slightly left and slowly in to stride, held up, headway over 2f out, came wide entering straight, hung left and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f app hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Smalljohn (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Defector (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Kyle (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Imperial House (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
