broke well, soon steadied to rear, ridden and no impression from 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f weakened over 1f out
prominent, led over 1f out, ridden final furlong, challenged and held on gamely
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
slowly into stride, soon in touch, effort to chase leaders 3f out, hard ridden and every chance throughout final furlong and edged right and no extra towards finish
led, ridden when headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
A diamond race in the dust and Grand Strategy is taken to see off Especially and Dhhamaan. Grand Strategy would have found life difficult as a juvenile if the evidence of his breeding was anything to go by but life for his supporters at Lingfield proved very easy as he scored hard held under Matthew Henry. He seems as if he might be capable of further improvement on that evidence and we seek not to oppose. Especially has to be respected from the Mark Johnston stable. She certainly has not been overfaced in two recent outings at Southwell and the question is now as to whether the handicapper has done his sums correctly. Dhhamaan hasn't totally convinced over a mile but Clive Brittain knows more about the game than we do. Kalhan Sands has been done no favours by the assessor. Tevez won a bad maiden and has to improve to win this. Chinese Temple's sole victory came over a fast five furlongs at Cork. Grand Strategy caught the eye last time out and we side with this potentially useful individual tonight.
Kalhan Sands (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Slowly away, behind, headway and hung right 2f out, ran on approaching final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Geezers Colours (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Dhhamaan (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Hucking Hero (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Grand Strategy (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) In touch, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol beating Finmore Queen (8-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Chinese Temple (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon in touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on under pressure, never able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Geezers Colours (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Tevez 5-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, not clear run and switched left over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well, won at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn (5) fbs beating Musical Feud (9-3) by 3l, 6 ran.
Especially (IRE) 15-8 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp (5) fbs beating Safebreaker (9-4) by 1l, 4 ran.
