steadied start, took keen hold in rear, some late headway over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out
behind, headway over 2f out, went 3rd 1f out, not troubled leading pair
led 2f, led again 3f out, stayed on gamely final 2f, driven out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway to chase winner 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, plenty to do 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
in rear, headway 2f out, ran on under pressure final furlong, nearest finish
held up, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
slowly into stride, towards rear, lost action over 2f out, eased over 1f out
led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
Chia has the form to win this at the expense of Torquemada and Den's Gift. The selection deserves a win after the amount of seconds he has amassed lately. In thirty two outings he has only ever won once and that was at Wolverhampton back in January. Having said that he still comes into the race off a fair mark and if everything can go right for him in the race he has to once again give you a good run for your money. Torquemada ran well behind Im Ova Ere Dad at Lingfield over a mile last time out and a return to that trip could see him run another fine race. He got his head in front at Leicester back in September and runs off a similar mark here so he is more than capable of running a fair race. Den's Gift runs in his first handicap off a mark of seventy three. He broke his maiden tag fourth time of asking at Lingfield last time out but it remains to be seen how well treated he is. So for the winner we return to Chia.
Cape of Luck (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced halfway, ridden and kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind For Life (8-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Blacktoft (USA) 13-2 (10-0) Chased leader until over 6f out, went 2nd again 2f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 4l behind dhtrs Grand Vizier (9-0) & Hoh Wotanite (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul.
Waterline Twenty (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, keeping on when not clear run near finish, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Kindlelight Blue (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Den's Gift (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Led to over 4f out, led again over 2f out, headed 1f out, rallied and soon led again, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Baharah (8-12) by a shd, 7 ran.
Torquemada (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up, smooth headway 2f out, chased winner final furlong, strong run and closing when slightly bumped well close home, 2nd of 12, shd behind Im Ova Ere Dad (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Pianoforte (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Held up in mid division, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, strong run well inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 14, nk behind Rebellious Spirit (9-1) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol in Nov.
Smokin Joe 4-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Meditation (8-10) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Nicada (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden 3f out, not clear run approaching 2f out, soon one pace, 6th of 10, 5l behind Dream of Fortune (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 14-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ansells Pride (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Nov.
Dushstorm (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up, wide entering straight, soon hung left, no progress, 10th of 12, 9l behind Gaelic Princess (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Chia (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-2) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led over 5f out, driven over 1f out, ran on, headed post, 2nd of 9, shd behind Coral Creek (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Racing Stripes (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Steadied start, behind, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 20l behind New York Oscar (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Swift Cut (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, kept on again after, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Spinning (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
