made all, led, ridden and 2 lengths clear over 1f out, stayed on gamely final furlong and held on well
steadied start and bumped leaving stalls, held up last, ridden over 2f out, no headway, never dangerous final 2f
always behind, ridden over 2f out, never nearer
tracked leaders on inside, chased winner over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, lost 2 places well inside final furlong
held up behind, not clear run 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong to close on winner near finish
went left start, held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong
close up 4th, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon one pace, weakened inside final furlong
awkward leaving stalls, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, no progress over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out
pulled very hard behind, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out
tracked winner to over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly well over 1f out
At last a race of quality on the card and one that can be taken by ATLANTIC STORY, while Finicius and Mac Love are among the dangers. Mick Easterby saddles the selection, who has progressed very well since his two wins here that have come over a mile. Despite that he has had enough speed to finish placed over 6f on turf this year and he showed when winning at Lingfield last time that this distance is ideal. That should have him spot on here and he can go in again. Finicius has won over six, seven and eight furlongs in his last three starts and clearly relishes the Polytrack. He must be taken seriously here and merits the utmost respect. He is drawn next door to the selection which could ensure a fascinating duel. Mac Love competes over his optimum trip and won here for the first-time on his latest start, that success coming over a mile. That was also in Listed company, and so a penalty here makes this tough, but he shouldn't be far away. Duff was a Listed Lingfield scorer last month and is another carrying a penalty. He has a decent draw and plenty of pace, so a follow-up win would be no big surprise. Ceremonial Jade is admirably consistent and has a course and distance win, though is perhaps better on the left-handed Polytracks than here, while Il Grande Maurizio has four lengths to find with Mac Love and just a 2lb pull, so it is hard to see him reversing that form. The best race of the night by a country mile can be taken by Atlantic Story.
Duff (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead just over 1f out, clear final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Nov beating Maltese Falcon (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mac Love 16-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, good headway over 1f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Nov beating Commander Cave (9-0) by a hd, 14 ran.
Al Muheer (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway and effort 2f out, not clear run when hampered and checked over 1f out, not recover, 11th of 14, 15l behind Mac Love (9-2) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Atlantic Story (USA) 7-2fav (9-8) Close up mid-division, ran on to lead inside final furlong, soon asserted, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f hcap (2) pol in Nov beating Markab (9-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Bonus (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Always in rear, never dangerous final 2f, 8th of 10, 7l behind Confuchias (9-4) at Kempton 7f stk (3) pol in Nov.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 2-1fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong but not trouble leaders, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Duff (9-4) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Confuchias (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Mac Love (9-2) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Finicius (USA) 11-10fav (9-12) Chased leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, narrowly led last 100yds, strongly pressed and joined, kept on well under pressure, won at Dundalk 7f stk pol beating Quinmaster (9-9) by a shd, 14 ran.
Red Alert Day 5-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, keeping on when hampered and checked on rail entering final furlong, not recover, 4th of 10, 2l behind Confuchias (9-4) at Kempton 7f stk (3) pol in Nov.
Swiss Franc 8-1 (9-2) Raced keenly in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Duff (9-4) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Salsa Steps (USA) 7-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon ridden along and outpaced in rear, never a factor, last of 9, 5l behind Duff (9-4) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Il Grande Maurizio (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, not clear run when hampered and snatched up 2f out, ran on when clear final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 5l behind Mac Love (9-2) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Orchard Supreme 20-1 (9-2) Soon outpaced towards rear, headway from 2f out, not troubled leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 7l behind Mac Love (9-2) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
