settled in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly 1f out
slowly into stride, soon close up, ridden over 3f out, no headway and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, headway 2f out, quickened to lead well inside final furlong, soon clear comfortably
tracked leader, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and weakened final furlong
held up, headway to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, not pace of winner
raced keenly towards rear, headway over 2f out, ran on to take third towards finish, not trouble first 2
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
always behind
led, ridden and driven clear over 1f out, headed and weakened well inside final furlong
raced wide, held up mid-division, in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
prominent until weakened 2f out
towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
A truly terrible handicap where Almahaza gets the nod ahead of Perfect Practice and Only If I Laugh. The selection is effective over a mile and in good form. He races from the same mark as when third behind Rigat at Wolverhampton last time and he has some good form with Confidentiality to bring to the party too, so he is taken to score. Perfect Practice steps back up to a mile and was a staying on second over 7f here last time. That was his first run back after a lengthy break and he is likely to strip fitter and can go close. Only If I Laugh is another regular in these events but this will test his stamina to the full and Megalala was a runner up at Brighton when last seen on the flat, but he does not seem to be as effective on the all weather and Almahaza gets the vote.
Cami Collins (FR) 10-1 (8-13) Behind, lost touch 2f out, last of 12, 11l behind Just Intersky (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Christalini 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 10l behind Mutamaasek (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Grey Gurkha 10-1 (9-1) Held up behind leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 19l behind Moonlight Fantasy (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Perfect Practice 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, ran on under pressure, 2nd of 14, nk behind Ceris Star (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Korty 40-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, 11th of 17, 11l behind Gleaming Spirit (9-11) at Yarmouth 6f mdn hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Trickle (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Chased winner over 5f out until 3f out, weakening when hampered over 3f out, eased inside final furlong, last of 12, 31l behind Alto Vertigo (8-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Only If I Laugh 11-2 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden along and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 13l behind Dancing Deano (8-13) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
Compton Express 100-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 6l behind Langford (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Detonate 12-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 10l behind Fast Freddie (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Megalala (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-9) at Brighton 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gd in Oct.
Piquet 80-1 (8-4) Always behind, 9th of 12, 9l behind Desert Dreamer (9-5) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Falcon Flyer 20-1 (8-12) Took keen hold behind, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 7th of 13, 5l behind Affrettando (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Almahaza (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Behind, headway 6f out, chased leaders 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Rigat (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
