tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held
slowly into stride, held up, in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no impression final furlong
led, ridden approaching 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
With likely favourite Divine Force arguably better at seven furlongs, perhaps TODBER could be worth a speculative punt back at the scene of her finest hour. The mare is unexposed and capitalised on a seemingly lenient mark when obliging here back in October. That success promised plenty more over the coming months, but she struggled when turned out quickly before the handicapper could have his say. That race perhaps came too soon, so whilst it's harder to make excuses for her subsequent laboured effort at Lingfield perhaps the return to Kempton can inspire an improved performance. Divine Force was arguably a tad unfortunate when bidding to continue his winning sequence last Friday. Racing off the same mark here, this prolific four-year-old has to enter calculations but that last run strengthened our belief that he's better at seven furlongs and the value looks set to be found in opposing Michael Wigham's horse. New Leyf enters calculations on his course and distance second last time, an effort for which he's been bumped up a pound in the ratings. That shouldn't make too much difference and as he looked a shade unfortunate not to finish closer this lightly-raced sort could well go one better. The three mentioned hold by far the most compelling claims, although both Vhujon and Jake The Snake go well here. The last-named continues to pay the price for his consistency and might just need a shade further than this whilst Vhujon needs a strong gallop and plenty of cover, neither of which look likely given the size of this field. Little Pete has dropped to a reasonable mark and has claims on his form at the back end of 2009, so he's of far more interest than Vintage and Bobs Dreamflight who both have it all to prove at present. In a tricky closing contest, our inclination is to take on the likely favourite and we do that with Todber.
Vhujon (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Dwelt, in rear, ridden and stayed on on outer final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Autumn Blades (10-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
Jake The Snake (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Restless stalls, slowly into stride, keen in rear, still last entering final furlong, ran on to take 4th near finish, 4th of 13, 1l behind Autumn Blades (10-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
Divine Force 9-4fav (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway on outer from over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 9, hd behind Sir Nod (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Bobs Dreamflight 50-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakend final furlong, 9th of 10, 8l behind Sarah's Art (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol.
New Leyf (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Awkward leaving stalls and slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, not clear run and snatched up just inside final furlong, soon switched left, ran on well to snatch 2nd post, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Perfect Act (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Todber 9-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor, 8th of 11, 6l behind Partner (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Little Pete (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Broke well, steadied to mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Steel Stockholder (8-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
Vintage (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, gradually weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Autumn Blades (10-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Jan.
