mid-division, effort on wide outside over 2f out, soon no impression
made all, hard ridden over 1f out, ran on well
held up in rear, headway on inside approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages
outpaced in rear, always behind
tracked leader, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Jonnie Skull pops-up on occasions and did so over C&D earlier in the week but Lord Buffhead was unable to follow-up his earlier win at Wolverhampton under a penalty last time when Colourbearer finished runner-up. Frognal finished ahead of Waterloo Dock in a claimer here last month and Desert Strike should be thereabouts but SPEAK THE TRUTH won twice at this time last year including a division of this race. It could be his turn again today after a decent effort over C&D last time and Roger Ingram's sprinter gets the nod.
Speak The Truth (IRE) 7-2 (8-8) Not much room start, behind, good headway on inside over 1f out, ridden to challenge and every chance final 100 yards, just held, 3rd of 12, nk behind Belinsky (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Desert Strike 7-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 10, 2l behind Novabridge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Frognal (IRE) 8-1 (7-10) Dwelt in rear, headway over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Efistorm (8-4) at Lingfield 6f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Waterloo Dock 33-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 10, 12l behind Efistorm (8-4) at Lingfield 6f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Colourbearer (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, closed 3f out, led over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Invigilator (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
My Own Way Home 20-1 (8-13) Led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 6l behind Lastkingofscotland (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Dvinsky (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten, 8th of 9, 6l behind Stepturn (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 8-1 (8-0) Always prominent, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec beating Welsh Inlet (8-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Lord Buffhead 15-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along towards rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Invigilator (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Slatey Hen (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Steadied start, headway on inside over 1f out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Johnny Splash (8-4) at Lingfield 5f sll hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Fantasy Fighter (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furong, ran on, never nearer, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Rose Garnet (8-8) at Kempton 6f app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
Scommettitrice (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on, 5th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Johnny Splash (8-4) at Lingfield 5f sll hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
