led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, lost 2nd 50 yards out, weakened into 4th last strides
always towards rear, never on terms
tracked leader, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway when not clear run and switched left over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten and run flattened out towards finish
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, went 3rd entering final furlong until final 50 yards, went 3rd again last strides
outpaced and always in rear
chased leaders, not clear run and switched right towards inside well over 1f out, not much room and squeezed through over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, just held on, all out
in touch in mid-division, headway on inside tracking leaders over 2f out, pushed along and unable to quicken when slightly hampered over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
fractious on way out, unseated rider and led to post without rider, started slowly, held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
Red Invader has done most of his winning over 5f, including his latest start at Chelmsford, and is 4lb higher today. Rigolleto finished closer at Lingfield in November having slipped down the weights while Tango Sky produced one of his occasional good efforts when placed at Newcastle. Fleeting Glimpse makes his handicap debut and could figure but MONSIEUR PADDY also goes handicapping for the first time after landing a maiden race at Newcastle and he gets the nod. Nasri is worth noting given he won last year’s renewal of a much higher mark.
Rigolleto (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced by winner, kept on for 2nd, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Swiss Cross (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Red Invader (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Keen raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, headway to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, ridden out, won at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (6) pol in Aug beating Jack The Laird (9-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Jack The Laird (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Raced wide, towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Richter Scale (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Monsieur Paddy 18-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Newcastle 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Poetic Queen (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Tango Sky (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden and went 2nd apporoaching final furlong, no impression and dropped to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Hold On Magnolia (9-5) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Sehayli (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Dwelt, always towards rear, 12th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Fire Diamond (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Compton Prince 7-1 (9-3) Headway from wide draw to press leader after 1f, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Born To Finish (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Firesnake (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Hampered start and dropped to rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never nearer, 5th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Bridge Builder (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Fleeting Glimpse 7-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, took keen hold, effort on outside 2f out, weakened final 100 yards, 8th of 12, 4 1/4l behind New Signal (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Nasri 6-1 (9-6) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Multi Quest (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
