started slowly, took keen hold, soon tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
led until headed well inside final furlong, kept on
took keen hold in mid-division, hampered and checked over 2f out, not recover
tracked leader for 3f, lost place and checked over 2f out, ran on again inside final furlong
always behind
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, not reached leaders
in rear, headway on outer well over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, ridden clear
held up behind, ridden over 3f out, in rear when hampered and checked over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
Aggravation gets the call, with his main dangers given as Meditation and Quantum Leap. The selection won in emphatic fashion over 8 furlongs here last time and runs again under a penalty while in good heart. Given that he has had the pace to run well over six furlongs here in the past, a drop in trip from last time should be ok for him too. Meditation has been raised five pounds for a course a distance win but, again, comes here in good heart and can go well again, while Quantum Leap is on a mark from which we know he can win and he rates a mention. Of the others, Wavertree Warrior is now just a pound above a winning mark but seven furlongs might just be a little sharp for him these days, while much as Set Alight could be given a chance on his best form, all of his wins have come at Southwell. The scene is set then for Aggravation to win again and , accordingly, he is the selection.
Acomb 33-1 (7-13) Raced freely, led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 14l behind Red Spell (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Serieux 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 7l behind Blonde Streak (8-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Habshan (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Meditation 7-4fav (8-13) Disputed lead 1f, led again over 3f out, ridden clear well over 1f out, ridden out, easily, won at Lingfield 7f handicap (5) pol beating Kallista's Pride (8-5) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Aggravation 13-8fav (9-3) Prominent, squeezed through on inside over 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Burton Ash (9-1) by 2l, 12 ran.
Set Alight 11-4fav (9-10) Towards rear, soon chased along, headway on inner 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Pawn In Life (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Quantum Leap 14-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakend opver 1f out, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Habshan (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Distant Country (USA) 10-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Mystic Man (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
