mid-division stands side group, kept on final furlong, no impression
held up far side group, never dangerous
chased leaders stands side group, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, farside group, effort over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders far side group, stayed on from over 1f out
chased leaders far side group, weakened final furlong
held up stands side group, headway well over 1f out, kept on
led stands side group, ridden and headed over 2f out by stands side group, soon weakened
in touch stands side group, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders stands side group, weakened over 1f out
held up stands side group, headway over 1f out, kept on
towards rear stands side group, headway to lead 2f out, stayed on well no chance with far side group
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up far side group and keen, weakened final furlong
chased leaders stands side group, weakened final furlong
led far side group, headed over 1f out, soon beaten
chased leader far side group, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear
This is another ultra-competitive handicap and the vote is given to ADVANCED who is preferred to the likes of Thebes, Northern Fling and Bel Cantor. The selection is a past winner of the Ayr Gold Cup and he ran a solid race at Dundalk last time when he finished third behind Romeo's On Fire. Amy Ryan is good value for her 7lbs claim and we think she can steer this 6-year-old to victory. Thebes was far from disgraced last time at Lingfield in a race won by Abbodanza, but that was over 7f and he is much more at home over this trip. Bel Cantor disappointed over this course and distance back in October and he will need to show a little more on his seasonal return if he is to get competitive. Northern Fling ran well from a poor draw at Nad Dal Sheba last month and he is another who will be suited by this drop in trip. Everymanforhimself is a likeable sort and he would have claims on the pick of his form if he is fit enough to do himself justice on his first run since September. However, we prefer the claims of his stablemate Advanced who looks a good bet to land this prize.
Capricorn Run (USA) 14-1 (9-2) Hampered soon after start, raced wide, dropped to rear, outpaced over 2f out, soon driven along, kept on, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 4l behind Abbondanza (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Machinist (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Raced stands side, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 27, 3l behind Conquest (8-9) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) gf in Aug.
Northern Fling 20-1 (8-8) 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Balthazaar's Gift (9-6) at Nad Al Sheba 6f hcp gf in Feb.
River Falcon 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure entering final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, 4th of 20, 1l behind Judge 'n Jury (9-6) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Barney McGrew (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance inside final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 21, hd behind Invincible Force (8-7) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Nov.
Advanced 8-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, headway to 2nd 1 1/2f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 2l behind Romeo's On Fire (8-4) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Mastership (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, never dangerous, 12th of 21, 8l behind Invincible Force (8-7) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Nov.
Fathsta (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Very keen towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no headway, never nearer, 9th of 13, 7l behind Russki (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Thebes 9-1 (8-9) Came across from wide draw soon after start, chased winner, ridden and hung right over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2l behind Abbondanza (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Turnkey 25-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride and always rear division stand side, 9th of 14, 10l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept.
Everymanforhimself (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders stand side, ridden along over 2f, soon weakened, last of 14, 15l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept.
Harrison George (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division far side, effort over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 27, 3l behind Against The Grain (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) hvy in Sept.
Evens And Odds (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Beat The Bell (8-5) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Haajes 28-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, kept on again inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 2l behind Thebes (8-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Ajigolo 28-1 (8-12) Chased leaders to halfway far side, last of 20, 29l behind Tajneed (8-12) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Aug.
Good Gorsoon (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 11th of 17, 3l behind Hoh Hoh Hoh (9-11) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Joseph Henry 9-2 (8-9) Chased leaders stand side, effort over 2f, soon beaten, 12th of 14, 14l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept.
Bel Cantor 16-1 (8-2) Led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 14th of 19, 10l behind Skhilling Spirit (8-7) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Baldemar 9-1 (8-12) Chased leaders on outside, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace when slightly bumped inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Phantom Whisper (9-2) at Goodwood 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Palace Moon 5-1 (9-11) In touch in main group, ridden 2f out, every chance well inside final furlong, edged left towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Khor Dubai (8-6) at Newmarket 6f 2yo & 3yo stk (3) gs in Oct.
Mullein 11-2 (9-5) Always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and hung right final furlong comfortably, won at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct beating Topflightcoolracer (9-1) by 2l, 12 ran.
Commando Scott (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 6l behind Galeota (9-6) at Doncaster 6f lst stk (1) gf in Nov '07.
