tracked leaders, not much room after 1f, ridden 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on same pace towards finish
held up, hampered after 1f, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish
raced wide, hampered after 1f, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 4f out, tracked leader after, ridden to lead again after 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in touch, hampered after 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
towards rear, kept on final furlong, never near leaders
held up, raced freely in mid-division, improved 2f out, eased out over 1f out, ridden to lead and flashed tail inside final furlong, held on towards finish
in rear, switched wide over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly to take 2nd, not reach winner
bumped after 1f, lost action, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
FANTASY FIGHTER has been running well of late and can follow up here ahead of three-year-olds Romantic Queen and Forest Dane. John Quinn's gelding won nicely enough last time ahead of Ask Jenny who runs in the 12.25 and a 3lb rise in the ratings doesn't seem unreasonable for what in the end was a tidy success. That was at Wolverhampton but the horse had previously taken a close-up fifth at Lingfield and won a course-and-distance handicap back in January. That effort was off a mark of just 48 and so today's rating of 55 may seem a little steep but the horse's present wellbeing can count for much here as can a favourable draw in stall 5. Romantic Queen bids to give trainer George Baker his first winner for some time and is handicapped to do so being 5lb lower than when a very close up third here back in October. Both the horse's previous two wins have been at this trip and with the capable Matthew Davies taking off 5lb this well-drawn filly can make a bold bid to take home the honours. Forest Dane is nine years old now but continues to run well without winning of late, having taken second last time at Kempton. That effort was all the more admirable given the horse missed the break and was hampered early on and so a 3lb rise for that defeat does not seem as harsh as at first it might. George Baker takes over the reins today and from a good draw in stall 2 the old boy may be able to take a hand in the finish once more. Of the others Elusive Ronnie may struggle to defy a 6lb penalty for an eye-catching victory at Kempton as the horse must overcome a very difficult draw in stall 12 here although he has run well here in the past whilst Acrosstheuniverse is unexposed but looks to have been giving a stiff mark for her handicap debut. Fantasy Fighter is the selection in this open sprint handicap.
Forest Dane 9-2 (8-13) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, led inside last, soon edged left, headed and unable to quicken final hundred yards, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Gentle Guru (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Romantic Queen 33-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Weet A Surprise (8-10) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Monte Major (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden halfway, ran on towards finish, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Forever's Girl (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Fortina's Boy (USA) 22-1 (9-4) Dwelt, always behind, 10th of 12, 8l behind Mayoman (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Grand Palace (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 9l behind Todber (8-9) at Kempton 6f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Oct.
Radiator Rooney (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Dwelt, always behind, last of 10, 7l behind Chandika (8-8) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Makshoof (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Mid-division, no impression from over 2f out, 10th of 12, 17l behind My Sweet Georgia (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Hart of Gold 16-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, behind, pushed along and no progress over 2f out, 8th of 12, 7l behind Speak The Truth (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Fantasy Fighter (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Held up in touch, switched right and chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol beating Ask Jenny (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Elusive Ronnie (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden when not clear run on inside rail over 1f out, soon switched left to outer, strong run inside final furlong, led post, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Head To Head (9-1) by ns, 11 ran.
Sweet Kiss (USA) 25-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Ponting (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs.
Acrosstheuniverse (USA) 11-2 (8-12) Raced wide, in touch, ridden halfway, driven and kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Tongalooma (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
