steadied start, took keen hold, held up and always in rear
slowly into stride, bumped start, held up, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
chased leader, led over 8f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened
slowly away, always in rear
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not reached winner
prominent, tracked leaders 7f out, losing place when hampered inside final 2f, soon behind
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to dispute 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon behind
led to over 8f out, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened rapidly 3f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon chasing leader, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, 3 lengths clear over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2 places near finish
in touch, pushed along 3f out, one pace when not clear run in inside final 2f and again inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
READY TO CROWN has claims in a competitive start to the day's proceedings. Rough Sketch makes a short-list which is completed by Lytham. Sestet is worth a second look and Noah Jameel is another that could go well but we'll look to Ready To Crown to get us off to a winning start. Andy Turnell's runner responded well to the fitting of blinkers to chase home the progressive Colonel Sherman at Lingfield and has claims here if building on the run. Admittedly, there must be some doubt about that given her profile but she's good enough to win a race of this nature if everything pans out for her. Support for Rough Sketch may well be enough to see us switch allegiance but the Heath House runner weakened rather tamely at Great Leighs on his return. Lytham made a winning start for his new trainer and remains well handicapped following a 6lb rise in the weights; he should go close if he can be persuaded to post a similar performance. Mix N Match and The Graig are two others worthy of more than a second glance but our vote goes to Ready To Crown.
Alucica 25-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Tuxedo (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Play Up Pompey 7-1 (9-0) Held up, ran wide entering straight, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Chalice Welcome (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Rough Sketch (USA) 15-8fav (9-0) Led 2f, remained prominent, led again over 5f out, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 6l behind Samurai Warrior (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
The Graig 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon hard ridden, stayed on gamely under pressure, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan beating Gun For Sale (8-9) by a hd, 9 ran.
Noah Jameel 8-1 (8-12) Behind, headway on outer well over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, gaining close home, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Climate (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Sestet 9-2 (8-12) Held up last, in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, 5th of 6, 6l behind American Spin (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc (6) pol in Jan.
Mix N Match 7-2 (8-9) Held up in last trio, hampered approaching 4f out, good headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Samurai Warrior (8-9) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Snake Skin 14-1 (9-7) Close up until ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 15l behind Little Carmela (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Bid Art (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 19l behind Old Romney (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Siryena 33-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden to chase leading pair 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind General Feeling (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Lytham (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-12) Held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, hung right and led close home, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan beating Vanquisher (8-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ready To Crown (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Held up behind, headway over 4f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, no chance with winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Colonel Sherman (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Elliwan 12-1 (8-11) Dwelt, always towards rear, 6th of 8, 16l behind Kingsholm (9-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Moyoko (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Hampered start, held up mid-division, headway and edged left over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Snow Dancer (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
