mid-division, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish
took keen hold, held up on outer, driven and no impression final 2f
led, ridden 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, soon eased when beaten
always towards rear
soon mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
steadied start, took keen hold, in rear, no impression final 2f
held up towards rear, driven and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to get competitive
chased leader, led inside final 2f, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression and lost 2 places final 100 yards
pulled hard in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, no impression on leaders final 100 yards
tracked leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
started very slowly and always tailed off
chased leaders, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards, not reached winner
This lowly class seven contest isn't one to get the blood pumping, but there has to be a winner, and we'll tentatively select BECKENHAM'S SECRET, ahead of Kinsman and Royal Choir. The drop back in trip for the selection looks a positive after coming last but one in a handicap here last week. He's one of the very few here to have won in the past, but that was a Kempton sprint two and a half years ago. Kinsman's won here seven times, and splits his time between here and Kempton, enjoying more success here. It's the old boys first run since April, and he'd undoubtedly be a popular winner. Royal Choir comes from a very small yard that's not had a winner for two years, and indeed the horse itself has never been placed. Chris Catlin takes the ride, and if any jockey can get some improvement out of him, he's the man. Rosie Cross finished ahead of Lady Fas last time out off level weights; the former has marginally a better draw here today. This is one of those races where you can find more reasons why runners won't win than why they should, but one's got to be home first, and we'll suggest that could be Beckenham's Secret.
Royal Choir 66-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden and stayed on outside from 2f out, 5th of 12, 6l behind Sabre Light (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Beckenham's Secret 25-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, in touch, losing place when not much room over 2f out, 10th of 11, 16l behind Saucy (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Captain Sirus (FR) 66-1 (10-2) Led, headed over 8f out, ridden and weakened 4f out, last of 16, 48l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Jellytot (USA) 80-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon switched right after start, held up mainly in rear, 10th of 13, 15l behind Mrs Bun (8-9) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Kinsman (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Having A Ball (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Lady Fas (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Greek Secret (8-7) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Ma Ridge 100-1 (8-6) Soon pushed along to track leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 20l behind Electric Warrior (9-4) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Rosie Cross (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, kept on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Greek Secret (8-7) at Kempton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Samson Quest 11-2 (8-11) Started slowly, held up behind, ridden and outpaced final 2f, 7th of 13, 5l behind Copper King (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Tarkamara (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Pulled hard in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on again final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 6l behind Copper King (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Little Firecracker 66-1 (8-13) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 17l behind Barkass (9-6) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Poppy Dean (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Keen with leader, led 4f out until well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 12l behind The Grey One (8-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
