led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, soon one pace
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, found extra when challenged inside final furlong
held up, in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakend 2f out
tracked leading pair, with winner 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish
This is an interesting race but one that should go to THUNDERING HOME, ahead of Exceedthewildman and Brooklands Bay. Ed Dunlop's colt is up 5lbs for a taking success last time, one that came here over a furlong less. That day he was outpaced off a slow pace before finding plenty for pressure and with the extra distance here looking a massive plus we'll stick with him. He's the potential to go on again from this mark and the horse he beat last time has run with credit since, increasing confidence further. Exceedthewildman ran with credit behind a well-treated rival last time, in the process proving he stays at least this far. A solitary pound rise for that effort seems fair but he's up against a similarly promising sort once more, so unless he shows improved form at Kempton on Wednesday he'll look beatable. Brooklands Bay completes the shortlist by virtue of his second placed effort over course and distance last time. He's up 4lbs for it, but as he's had just the two starts that have both been here, a first and a second, we can expect improvement and a bold show. Whippers Love is yet to race over this far and has an absence to overcome, so despite the fact the yard should know where they stand with a couple of these he's overlooked along with Miss Starlight who looks to have been harshly punished for her maiden win. All of these have some sort of chance but Thundering Home can live up to his name and score.
Miss Starlight 15-2 (9-7) Raced wide, held up, pushed along halfway, effort approaching 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 11l behind Diam Queen (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Whippers Love (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon headed, soon weakened, 16th of 19, 20l behind Antoniola (8-6) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Brooklands Bay (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Danger Mulally (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Thundering Home 11-8fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan beating House Red (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Exceedthewildman 10-11fav (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Danger Mulally (9-2) by hd, 2 ran.
