soon led, clear, ridden over 1f out, headed close home
unseated rider soon after start
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, led close home
led early, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon chasing leader, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway final furlong, kept on same pace
soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
STRABINIOS KING made light work of the opposition last Monday and he can do so again with Kensington and Triple Axel the most feasible opposition. Due to go to the sales next month, Strabinios King landed some hefty bets last time out and on that evidence, a 6lb penalty shouldn't be enough to stop him. Kensington has the blinkers removed this time. He has won well previously at the track albeit with headgear. Triple Axel has been a longstanding maiden before joining Jeremy Noseda. Victory at Southwell put a stop to that. Montiboli is inconsistent though the booking of Jamie Spencer is an obvious draw today. Cornus has a rare away day from Lingfield Park. Dancing Maite represents a yard that have enjoyed some success this winter though he may be weighted to the hilt at present. Lord Deevert is exposed at plating levels. Strabinios King gets the vote.
Strabinios King 13-8fav (8-10) Chased leader, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Red Cape (8-7) by 3l, 9 ran.
Kensington (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Behind, headway on outer well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Strabinios King (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Cornus 20-1 (9-2) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 10th of 13, 5l behind Trafalgar Square (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Montiboli (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Tri Chara (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Dancing Maite 9-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden along over 2f, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Mozayada (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Triple Axel (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden along and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Mrs Bun (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Lord Deevert 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, chased leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind River Kirov (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.