chased leaders, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, led approaching final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra
behind, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, hard ridden to challenge inside final furlong, ran on, just failed
led, headed and hung right just over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
steadied in rear, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well
chased leaders, hard ridden and effort well over 1f out, ran on to lead post
behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never on terms
TEN DOWN is well drawn to launch an early assault on the lead and may be able to repel all challengers. Dangers include the likes of Thoughtsofstardom and Handsome Cross. Mick Quinn saddled a welcome winner last week and Ten Down did enough when second over course and distance last time to believe that his turn may not be too far around the corner. He's at his best when allowed to dominate a field which he may be able to do here and he's slipped to a very attractive mark. Thoughtsofstardom made every yard to score at Kempton and has a good record here but could struggle to dominate from his high draw under a penalty. Handsome Cross has come down a long way in the weights but took advantage of that when scoring narrowly over six furlongs here last time. The second has run well since to boost the form but the shorter trip is a slight concern even allowing for the fact that this should be run at a good clip so the claims of Ten Down are preferred.
Thoughtsofstardom 14-1 (8-6) Made all, stayed on well, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Fromsong (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Figaro Flyer (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 11, 4 1/2l behind Sutton Veny (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Sweet Applause (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to go 3rd 2f out, one pace approaching final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Spice Run (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along 2f out, headway and effort over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) in Dec beating Hollow Jo (9-4) by hd, 12 ran.
Cape Royal 22-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Thoughtsofstardom (8-7) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Agnes Love 20-1 (8-5) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 6l behind Partner (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Namir (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Held up, headway when not clear run over 1f out, switched left and not clear run again inside final furlong, not recover, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Raimond Ridge (8-7) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Fly leapt leaving stall, took keen hold in rear, switched right 1f out, ran on well inside furlong, took 2nd post, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Rocket Ruby (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Monsieur Reynard 5-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, staying on when hampered towards finish, 5th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Spinning Bailiwick (10-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Ten Down 9-2 (8-8) Led, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Silver Prelude (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
