soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, still every chance entering final furlong, kept on
started slowly, always behind
took keen hold, prominent, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance, no extra inside final furlong and lost 2nd close home
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, hard pressed over 1f out, ran on strongly and asserted final half furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden along over 2f out, no impression and weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened and in rear
held up behind, stayed on from over 1f out, not reach leaders
dwelt, held up towards rear, no impression until stayed on from over 1f out, ran on nearest finish
started slowly and always in rear
reared start and lost several lengths, in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on nearest finish
mid-division, headway from 2f out, effort over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd near finish, not reach winner
Waterside gained a deserved victory last time and can follow up this afternoon, Magic Merlin and Island Rapture are two to consider for the places. Gary Moore's six-year-old has held his form well since winning at Epsom in June and ran out a comfortable victor over Hail The Chief over course and distance last time. The opposition today if anything don't look as strong and he looks set to land the double. Magic Merlin is having his first outing on the all-weather but doesn't look badly treated and if fit should be there or thereabouts. Island Rapture was just pipped by Llamadas here earlier this month and has an obvious chance off bottom weight. But it is to the other end of the handicap that we go to make our selection and that is Waterside.
Waterside (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Prominent, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Hail The Chief (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Chief Exec 16-1 (8-13) Soon tracked leader, led over 1f out, to well inside final furlong, outpaced close home, 4th of 12, 3/4l behind Perfect Story (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Northern Desert (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Behind, headway over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, unable to challenge, 5th of 12, 3/4l behind Perfect Story (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Hits Only Heaven (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Pulled hard in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced, ran on again inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Perfect Story (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Magic Merlin 9-1 (8-11) Behind, progress over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 6th of 17, 4 1/2l behind High Bray (8-7) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Hayyani (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Pulled hard behind, good headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Waterside (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Marko Jadeo (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Ever Cheerful (8-13) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Island Rapture 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 2f out, effort over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to chase winner, gaining near finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Llamadas (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
