led far side, headed 3f out, weakened quickly
in rear stands side, ridden over 3f out, not reached leaders
chased leaders stands side, ridden halfway, well beaten when eased inside final furlong
prominent far side, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
led stands side until driven, headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
prominent far side, driven, lost place from 2f out
mid-division stands side, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f
in rear far side, ridden halfway, no impression final 2f
in rear stands side, headway over 2f out, kept on well final furlong
tracked leaders stands side, lost place over 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong
chased leaders far side, led over 1f out, soon headed, no extra final furlong
chased leaders stands side, driven to lead over 1f out, held on well towards finish
reared over start, refused to race, took no part
chased leaders stands side, driven, one pace final 2f
in rear far side, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f
in rear far side, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong
prominent stands side, ridden halfway, no extra final 2f
in rear stands side, ridden halfway, kept on one pace final 2f
mid-division stand side, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2f
prominent far side, one pace final 2f
prominent stands side, ridden over 2f out, short of room 1f out, one pace final furlong
Don't Panic was strongly fancied for the main event last year but gained some compensation when landing this prize and Mangham's team will be hoping that he can follow suit. He certainly fits the bill as all but two of the last ten winners have been aged four so we'll add two more of his generation to the short-list in FIRESIDE and Flowing Cape. The first few home last year were drawn close to the two extremes which means that Flowing Cape's draw in thirteen may not do him any favours but he still has to be of interest. His two career successes both came at Wolverhampton in February but he has run some fine races on turf including when runner-up to Stimulation and Kal Barg in 2007. He had a truncated campaign in 2008 but his efforts this winter suggest that he's an improved performer who is unexposed over this trip which he's bred to relish. Mangham is a tough and progressive sort who keeps pulling out a little more and he should produce a gritty performance with the rail to help him. He had attracted support for the Lincoln so is sure to be cherry ripe and he's only ever finished out of the frame twice in his career. We just have a slight concern that he could be vulnerable to something with a better turn of foot in the closing stages. Fireside's 2008 campaign was restricted to one start which came in the 2,000 Guineas and saw him cross the line last. His presence in the Classic was not due to vanity and he's, potentially, one of the best handicapped horses in the line-up. He was to the fore of the Lincoln market but his new trainer was always prepared to run him in this contest and has been pleased with the work that he's been doing at home. He had been a shade unlucky not to land a valuable sales race at the Curragh on his debut and his connections have had to be very patient but that virtue will have been rewarded if Fireside comes home in front.
Mangham (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Broke well, soon eased to mid-division, switched left and headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, ridden and kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Axiom (9-2) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Nanton (USA) 4-1 (8-7) Led early, always prominent, took narrow lead 1f out, joined on post, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov deadheating with Suits Me (9-7), 12 ran.
Slugger O'Toole 14-1 (8-12) Raced far side, tracked winner, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Plum Pudding (9-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Invincible Force (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Dwelt, raced keenly, soon close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 4, 6l behind Nightjar (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Kings Point (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed pressing winner until no extra towards finish, 5th of 12, 1l behind Guilded Warrior (8-7) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sept.
Exit Smiling 14-1 (8-8) Prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 6l behind Intabih (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Lucky Dance (BRZ) 9-1 (9-2) Led until headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 12th of 13, 10l behind Flipando (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) With leaders and keen, led 3f out, soon headed, weakened well over 1f out, 12th of 23, 12l behind Charlie Tipple (8-9) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd in Oct.
Extraterrestrial 25-1 (9-2) Settled towards rear, progress on inner over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 13, 5l behind Flipando (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Fireside 20-1 (9-0) In touch, under pressure 3f out, soon faded, last of 15, 34l behind Henrythenavigator (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Majuro (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, stayed pressing winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Thebes (8-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Manassas (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, beaten when not much room and squeezed out inside final furlong, last of 5, 4l behind General Eliott (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo stk (3) gs in Apr.
Spectait 5-4fav (8-12) Mid-division, steady headway over 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Dream of Fortune (8-6) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Flawed Genius 12-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden and hung left over 2f out, effort on inside over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Abbondanza (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Medici Pearl 9-1 (8-9) Behind, headway 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 21, 5l behind Invincible Force (8-7) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Nov.
Raptor (GER) 40-1 (9-10) Mid-division, no headway from over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 9l behind Flipando (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Nightjar (USA) Evensfav (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, driven to lead entering final furlong, all out, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs beating Xpres Maite (8-12) by a hd, 4 ran.
The Fifth Member (IRE) 5-1fav (9-5) Close up, headway to lead approaching 2f out, in command over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, won at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct beating Marvo (8-8) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
The Osteopath (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, challenged inside final furlong, just held post, 2nd of 23, shd behind Charlie Tipple (8-9) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd in Oct.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Prominent until weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 5l behind Al Muheer (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, never a factor, 5th of 11, 5l behind Abbondanza (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
