chased leaders in 4th, pushed along halfway, dropped to last over 2f out, plugged on final furlong
started very slowly and lost at least 20 lengths, well in rear, latched onto rear of main group 7f out, shaken up and no progress final 2f
took keen hold, tracked leaders on inner, hung left and not look keen over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to press for 2nd near finish
held up, ran wide entering straight, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish
held up in rear of main group, headway going well 2f out, led entering final furlong, driven clear
led at steady pace, ridden 3f out, headed entering final furlong, faded
raced wide, in touch, driven to chase leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leader, driven upsides just inside final furlong, unable to quicken final 100 yards
always rear of main group, no progress final 2f
Like a back to front Magnus Magnussen, the card finishes as it starts with a weak ten furlong handicap, and BROUGHTONS FLIGHT is selected ahead of The Little Master and recent winner Chalice Welcome. Willie Musson's filly is yet to win in 13 starts but she shaped nicely just six days ago at Great Leighs. She was only beaten by half a length and with Tony Culhane doing the steering today, she could break her maiden tag. Play Up Pompey is one of several course and distance winners in the line-up and a mark of 53 might not be beyond him, whilst Tabulate needs to improve on recent performances but any sustained market support would be interesting. Chalice Welcome won at Great Leighs back in December but was fairly well held since over hurdles at Fakenham. He is hardly prolific but cannot be ruled out in a contest of this strength. The Little Master and Alberts Story are two more for consideration, however it is Broughtons Flight who can land the finale.
Huck Finn (NZ) (8-8) 7th of 13, more than 1 1/2l behind Danbelle (9-0) at Omakau 7f hcp gd in Jun '07.
The Little Master (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Steadied start, held up last, headway from 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Eseej (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Broughtons Flight (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Samurai Warrior (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol.
Play Up Pompey 8-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up last, ridden over 2f out, brief effort over 1f out, unable to challenge, one pace, 4th of 5, 2l behind Majehar (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Tabulate 13-2 (8-13) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 3f out, kept on final 2f, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 9l behind Colonel Sherman (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Chalice Welcome 10-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, good headway from over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon clear, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec beating Jiminor Mack (8-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
Darley Star 12-1 (8-8) Chased leader to 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly over over 2f out, 11th of 12, 18l behind Blockley (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Historical Giant (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Bumped start, in rear, some late headway from 2f out, never nearer, 8th of 14, 11l behind Epsom Salts (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Alberts Story (USA) 6-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Kirstys Lad (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Pajada 15-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Hi Spec (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
