tracked leader, led halfway, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
led, headed halfway, remained prominent, led again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked leaders, under pressure over 5f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hard ridden, stayed on well under pressure
held up in rear, headway well over 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, nearest finish
Plenty of this handicap field are on form but after an extremely taking success last time we think that STAR CHOICE can complete a hat-trick here denying Sinbad The Sailor that achievement while Calculating looks booked for another good run. Despite the pick's last two wins coming at Lingfield he has only lost once at this venue in three runs. Jockey Simon Pearce was a passenger for most of the last success so despite a weight hike of nine pounds he should put in a bold bid. Sinbad The Sailor found this assignment exactly to his liking when easily scoring off a low looking mark two starts ago. He followed that up with a narrow success last time but it could be the handicapper is beginning to get on top. Calculating is starting to get frustrating having found just the one better in each of his last five starts and it'd fair to say the assessor isn't doing him any favours by raising his rating again. Clear Sailing is another on form having landed a hat-trick before coming off second best last time but while he is considered this is a step into the unknown as far as the trip is concerned, This looks a decent little contest and Star Choice looks the right choice.
Clear Sailing 9-1 (9-2) Chased leaders in 3rd, led well over 1f out, driven out, held on well towards finish, 2nd of 7, ns behind Bavarica (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Sinbad The Sailor 7-4fav (9-1) Led at steady pace, headed 9f out, chased leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven and stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Rose Row (9-11) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Calculating (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Benedict Spirit (9-5) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Star Choice 3-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon led on bit, ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol beating Mustajed (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Gremlin 6-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, soon headway, kept on entering final furlong, 5th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Bavarica (8-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Dancing Sword 25-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no progress and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 16l behind Ryedale Ovation (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Oct '08.
