tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leader, mistake when driven to challenge 2 out, rallied last, kept on well towards finish
made all, hard driven when pressed 2 out, stayed on gamely
mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
chased leaders, not fluent, smooth progress to challenge 3 out, soon no impression
behind, outpaced 5 out, headway 3 out, never nearer
always behind, pulled up 6 out
mid-division, headway 6 out, chased leaders after next, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 16th, soon beaten
in touch, lost place 13th, behind 6 out, pulled up after next
LIZZIE LANGTON failed to fire on heavy going on her reappearance at Lingfield but that should have blown away the cobwebs. She won this last year when only 3lb lower and has a solid record at the track. Love The Leader won over a shorter trip here in October but is still climbing the handicap and has been beaten three times since. Hit The Highway can probably be forgiven his latest run at Plumpton but is now 0-9 over fences whereas Phoenix Rock won at Worcester in September and ran well enough off a 10lb higher mark at Huntingdon to suggest he can figure again in a race like this.
Love The Leader (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Led, not fluent 6th, headed before 3 out, no extra, 4th of 8, 23 3/4l behind Urtheonethatiwant (11-5) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Phoenix Rock (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 3rd, closed 11th, ridden before 2 out, left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Brigadier Bob (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Hit The Highway (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Crossley Tender (11-8) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
How's My Friend 33-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, behind and struggling before 11th, tailed off 12th, pulled up soon after, at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Lizzie Langton 9-4fav (10-6) Led, headed before 6th, weakened before 2 out, last of 5, 26 1/4l behind Parlour Maid (11-10) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
This Breac (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Reluctant to race, in touch, lost place before 5th, some headway 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 23 1/4l behind Brigadier Bob (11-9) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Mauna Kea (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) In rear, reminders and headway after 10th, pushed along and weakened after 4 out, 4th of 6, 15 3/4l behind Minella Voucher (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Westerner Ocean (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) In rear, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 16, dist behind Master Vintage (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Betterlatethanneva (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Behind from 4th, lost touch 9th, jumped slowly 10th, soon pulled up, at Uttoxeter 3m (3) hvy in Nov.
Minmore Grey (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 9th, hampered 12th, lost place 16th, soon weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Cheque En Blanc (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
