tracked leaders, 2nd travelling well over 2f out, led well over 1f out, drew clear final furlong, comfortably
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden on outer over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
close up on inside, driven and one pace over 1f out
in touch on outside, driven along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear on inner, headway 2f out, stayed on into 2nd just inside final furlong, no chance with winner
led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
raced in mid-division, no chance final 2f
held up in rear, headway on inner over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd last stride
chased leader, led 3f out until well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, one pace final 2f, lost 3rd final stride
started very slowly, pulled hard in rear, well behind final 3f
in rear, never troubled leaders
Another mediocre compressed handicap that presents a conundrum for punters, though with John Llewellyn's team in good form we will chance MOUNTAIN PASS to be up to the task, while recent winners Hi Spec and top weight Isitcozimcool should be thereabouts. The last-named won on the Fibresand last time and carries an extra 6lbs for that success, which came a week ago. Clearly in good heart and with the potential for improvement, he could again go well, although he does have it to prove on this quicker surface. Hi Spec will have no issues on that score, having won over course and distance earlier in the month, for which she has been raised 4lbs. It is hard to see her having much more scope for improvement, and she may be found wanting on these new terms. Reigning Monarch is interesting at the foot of the racecard and pedigree suggests that this trip will suit, so support for the gelding would be very interesting from a yard that likes to get involved. Midnight Bay was a shade disappointing last time but Lytham may already have strengthened that form if winning the opener, though Hayley Turner is likely to want to make plenty of use of his stamina if the partnership is to prevail. Zazous has a top pilot up but recent efforts has been less-than-encouraging and preference is for Mountain Pass. Trip and surface suit him, and now returning to a handicap for the first time in a while he looks to have a decent chance from a very competitive mark.
Isitcozimcool (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, led well over 2f out, hung badly right to stands side rail 2f out, kept narrow advantage throughout final furlong, all out, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-52 (6) fbs beating Granakey (8-10) by shd, 14 ran.
James Pollard (IRE) 66-1 (7-13) Slowly into stride, held up, towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 11l behind Alqaahir (8-7) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Hi Spec (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating King Canute (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Irish Bay (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Raced wide, held up, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling, 8th of 13, 13l behind Spice Run (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Mountain Pass (USA) 50-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, held up, towards rear, ridden and one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Alqaahir (8-7) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Rock Art (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) Prominent, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 27l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Zazous 50-1 (9-0) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 14, 19l behind Clever Omneya (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Inquisitress 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Lytham (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Imperium 16-1 (9-2) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 13, 3l behind Prince Valentine (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Midnight Bay 5-1fav (9-0) In touch, raced keenly, ridden and every chance from over 1f out until inside final furlong, faded, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Lytham (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Global Guest 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway under pressure well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Lytham (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Battimoore (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, switched right over 2f out, effort well over 1f out, soon hung right and weakened, 8th of 13, 6l behind Copper King (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 5-1fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 5l behind Copper King (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Motu (IRE) 22-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Pipers Piping (8-11) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
