held up, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, kept on final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, just held on
dwelt, held up mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong
dwelt, behind, reminders 5f out, one pace final 2f, no impression
led early, prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden and towards rear from over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, good headway final furlong, stayed on well towards finish, just failed
held up in touch and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A five-pound rise in his rating might be enough to halt Young Mick, so we will shortlist Scottish River, Midshipman and Ronsard and side with Scottish River. Young Mick's winning sequence came to an end when he was narrowly beaten at Lingfield last time and, much as he is respected, a further rise in his rating now gives him more to do. The selection is now rated 67 and, given that his February 2004 course and distance win came from a mark of 68, he can be given a chance on that basis. Ok, he has won over as far as 12 furlongs but, if he can race fairly handily, he looks competitive today. Ronsard is just a pound above his course and distance winning mark of February 2005 and, much as he was disappointing last time, something seemed amiss as he raced keenly, and he remains well treated based on his old Irish form and a more-tractable effort can see him go well. Finally, Midshipman is now just three pounds above his course and distance winning mark of February 2005 and, from a better draw than he encountered last time, cannot be ruled out. That's our view, then, with the vote going to Scottish River.
Western Roots 7-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2l behind Blue Patrick (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Parkview Love (USA) 11-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 11l behind Byron Bay (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Midshipman 7-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, effort 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 13, 7l behind Kindlelight Debut (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Measured Response 11-2 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, soon chased leader, ridden and every chance final furlong, unable to quicken final 100yds, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Newnham (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Ronsard (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 8l behind Alfridini (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Monte Mayor Boy 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden 3f out, chased leading pair 2f out, every chance 1f out, not quicken near finish, 4th of 11, 2l behind Arctic Desert (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Young Mick 7-2fav (9-1) Chased leaders, ran on and closing towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Missie Baileys (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Play Master (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) In touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Hurricane Coast (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Jan.
