chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, pushed along 3f out, weakened entering final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
led and soon clear, headed towards finish
held up, headway over 1f out, one pace
tracked leader, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish
slowly away, in rear, headway over 3f, never dangerous
held up, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up mid-division, weakened well over 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division,weakened well over 3f out, eased over 1f out
A rogues gallery for this affair and SHANDELIGHT is the pick with Turner's Touch and Our Kes likely to figure in many betting plans. Julie Camacho's mare did not disgrace herself when finishing second to Ghufa on her latest start. She is modest though stays this 1m4f trip effectively enough. Turner's Touch has a rare away day from Lingfield Park. His young rider is a promising 7lb claimer but the horseflesh underneath him is particularly cunning and often chooses not to go past when the option appears easiest. Paul Howling has enjoyed a fruitful couple of months so the veteran Our Kes has to figure in any discussion of the race. Trysting Grove is one to note in the market as the mare makes her reappearance after a very long time off the racecourse. Climate has been bitterly disappointing of late while John Potts, who was perhaps given a little bit too much to do last time, caught the eye of a number of punters and it would be no surprise to see Tony Culhane's mount attracting support. Willie Musson has had a winner recently though Mandalay Prince bombed out badly on his recent run at Southwell. Plenty of these horses can be given chances and while many have negatives, we are hopeful that Shandelight has finally turned the corner.
Climate (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, never near leaders, 11th of 13, 20l behind Kirstys Lad (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Our Kes (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, staying on when short of room inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Turkish Sultan (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
Mandalay Prince 12-1 (9-2) Always behind, 11th of 12, 25l behind Highland River (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Colonel Sherman (USA) 40-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Chia (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Trysting Grove (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Slowly away, took keen hold, held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no chance, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Adorabella (9-5) at Newbury 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gs in Aug '08.
Muncaster Castle (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) In rear, hung left and never dangerous, 10th of 12, 22l behind Almahaza (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-52 (6) fbs in Feb '09.
Shandelight (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, led over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Ghufa (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Dec.
Turner's Touch 10-1 (7-13) Started very slowly, raced in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Turkish Sultan (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jan.
John Potts 8-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Fine Tolerance (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
Key Of Fortune (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Golden Future (9-3) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcap (6) gd in Aug.
Always The Sun 25-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Freedom Fire (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Jan.
Son Of Monsieur 5-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway on inside and driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 4l behind King's Jester (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.
