pulled hard, tracking leader, lost place 2f out
slowly into stride, held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, all out
in touch, lost place over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, hard ridden and ran on inside final furlong, just held
soon led, keen hold, clear over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened quickly
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, lost place over 2f out
behind, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well, never nearer
held up, never dangerous
WHISKEY CREEK could be good value for a win here with rock solid form on his side already while the chances of Kaystar Ridge can be improved earlier in the day and Compton Classic has to be considered after recent efforts. The pick has the weight of form on his side with the line from his penultimate start already solid and likely to improve earlier in this card while it's also promising from his creditable run in a similar contest last time with the fourth going on to score. He's also now off a very competitive looking mark so he looks well set for success. Kaystar Ridge was a course and distance winner in a similar event last time and is up three pounds from that triumph. The first time head gear seemed to do the trick but he only got his chance for glory after the his nearest challenger showed a reluctance to lead near the finish. The formline is good from that and could improve before the off but with him at his limits last time the extra weight could be telling. The worry around Compton Classic is his reluctance to get in front but the recent case of seconditus has shown a return to form and he does have a course and distance win albeit a year ago now. What Katie Did and Joss Stick have chances of some prize money at bigger prices but to win it we go for Whiskey Creek
Joss Stick 5-4fav (8-13) With leader, led 2f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened final 100 yards, 7th of 8, 3l behind Azygous (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
What Katie Did (IRE) 17-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 8l behind Double Carpet (8-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Compton Classic 4-1 (8-0) Pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Milne Bay (8-5) at Great Leighs 6f app hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Kaystar Ridge 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led post, won at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Duke Of Milan (9-0) by a shd, 11 ran.
Whiskey Creek 13-2 (9-3) Pressed winner, ridden well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3l behind Mister Thatcher (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Mind Alert 7-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Helping Hand (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Tamino (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Perlachy (8-12) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Night Prospector 11-1 (8-11) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Fantasy Fighter (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 12-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Perlachy (8-12) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Ishibee (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Loyal Royal (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Desert Light (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) In rear, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Perlachy (8-12) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
