tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led narrowly 1f out, headed entering final furlong, driven to regain lead final 100 yards, all out
towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led narrowly entering final furlong, soon headed and no extra final 100 yards
raced keenly in touch, pressed leader 3f out, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, faded well inside final furlong
tracked leader, pressed leader 3f out, soon ridden and weakened inside final 2f
started slowly, soon mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, led, ridden and headed narrowly 1f out, every chance well inside final furlong, no extra close home
took keen hold behind, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders
held up behind mid-division, headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
always in rear
took keen hold towards rear, stayed on steadily from over 1f out nearest finish
close up, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
Smokey The Bear can land the finale at the expense of Winter Cruise and Mixing. The selection scored readily over course and distance two starts ago, his first at this trip, before failing to act on the track at Lingfield. He proved that running to be all wrong when going close here on Wednesday and he looks capable of going one better tonight. Winter Cruise is unexposed and feared following his win at Wolverhampton and he too looks capable of withstanding the handicapper's advances but the selection's proven form on this track tips the scales in his favour. Wolverhampton specialist Little Richard could find this trip on the short side but should prove no problem for Mixing who has run two sound races on his last two visits here. He should be in the mix again but Smokey The Bear can prevail.
Little Richard (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Young Scotton (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Smokey The Bear 9-4fav (8-6) Behind, headway from 2f out, ridden to dispute lead entering final furlong, every chance, no extra, outpaced by winner close home, 2nd of 13, hd behind Resplendent Ace (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) std.
Mixing 4-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 10, 9l behind War of The Roses (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Winter Cruise (IRE) 5-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden 3f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Sir Sandicliffe (9-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Autograph Hunter 8-1 (8-10) Held up and behind, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 12, 6l behind Moment of Clarity (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Under Fire (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Earl Kraul (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Josr's Magic (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Raced wide, always behind, 12th of 14, 27l behind Earl Kraul (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Come What July (IRE) 16-1 (8-3) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 8th of 10, 7l behind Moonlight Fantasy (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Only Hope 25-1 (8-10) Started slowly, always in rear, last of 14, 31l behind Earl Kraul (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Hiawatha (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never near to challenge, 5th of 16, 4l behind Enthusius (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Backlash (9-13) 3rd of 6, 5l behind Silver Silence (10-5) at Jersey 1m 2f hcp frm in May.
