always towards rear
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up and keen, headway over 1f out, stayed on well to take 2nd towards finish
chased leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, driven out
held up and keen, headway on inner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always towards rear
tracked leaders, weakened well over 1f out
SIR IKE is the pick with Salt Of The Earth and Inside Story the others to make our shortlist. Stuart Kittow's runner was nicely backed at long odds last week and in fairness, that confidence proved well justified as he ran his best race for some time at Lingfield. A visor replaces the cheekpieces in an effort to turn silver into gold. Terry Mills' runners are always noteworthy at this time of year so watch out for Salt Of The Earth in the market beforehand. A winner at Kempton off a 2lb lower mark, the handicapper is gradually dropping him back down the weights again. Inside Story ran another solid race at Southwell. He has won over a mile in the past and wasn¿t too far away over an inadequate seven at the track last month. Highly Regal bids for the hat-trick. He was no more than workmanlike in landing the second leg but the handicapper has only allocated an extra 3lb for those labours. Lopinot can make the running but was still capable of winning here despite missing the break last time out. Consistency does not appear his strong suit. Snowy Indian is dropped in trip having proved difficult to place over further. Sir Ike is our idea of the winner in a race where plenty have chances.
Salt of The Earth (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon switched right, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Dark Tara (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Inside Story (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, pushed along towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Hilbre Court (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Lopinot (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, travelling strongly behind leaders over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan beating Kilburn (9-1) by a nk, 10 ran.
Snowy Indian 10-3 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Lady Aspen (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn fll (5) pol in Jan.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Lopinot (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Highly Regal (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, switched left and led 2f out, soon ridden and strongly challenged, edged right under pressure, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan beating Dancing Duo (8-10) by a hd, 10 ran.
Sir Ike (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Keen, held up in touch, effort on inside entering final 2f, ridden and soon chased winner, kept on, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3l behind General Feeling (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Annes Rocket (IRE) 66-1 (8-13) Very slowly away, mainly in rear, 10th of 12, 10l behind General Feeling (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Alexander Guru 8-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, effort when weakening entering final furlong, 8th of 12, 5l behind Formidable Guest (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
