prominent, driven to lead halfway, 5 lengths clear over 3f out, hard ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure
slowly into stride, held up in rear, never on terms
held up mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, led 1f out, pushed out
tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
led to halfway, weakened 2f out
always behind
slowly into stride, always behind
behind, headway over 1f out, soon hung left, never nearer
Arguably the stronger of the two divisions can go to FLORENTIA, while Dudley Docker and Desert Vision can both show up well. The Sir Mark Prescott-trained selection was not far away here from the same mark when tried at the track over a furlong shorter in a handicap in October. She was never in it at Lingfield last time, but back here, and with a better draw to help her race prominently, she looks good enough to win again. Dudley Docker won a claimer here some time ago and just about gets this trip. Twice a winner from higher marks, he has to be respected. Desert Vision hails from a yard in form and is 4lbs higher than when scoring here over 1m 4f last time. The drop in trip should not be a major concern, and he can again go close. Strategic Mover has not been red hot in recent runs, but has enough decent form on his CV to get competitive, while course and distance scorer Prince Golan is up 2lbs for a Southwell win, but will find this a fair bit tougher. Resplendent Ace is 4lbs higher than when scoring at Southwell a couple of starts ago and is consistent for one at this level, so we respect his claims, though we will side with Florentia.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 2-1 (9-8) Dwelt, in rear, not far away, pushed along over 4f out, ridden to go moderate 4th 3f out, never a factor, 4th of 5, 15l behind Shadows Lengthen (8-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer, 5th of 12, 6l behind Free Tussy (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Held up and behind, headway from 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong, lost 3rd post, 4th of 10, 6l behind Astrodonna (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Florentia 7-2fav (8-10) Mid-division on inside, weakened quickly 2f out, 8th of 11, 12l behind Best In Class (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Desert Vision 7-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, edged left and led just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, edged left and regained lead near finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov beating Prince Charlemagne (9-2) by hd, 11 ran.
Strategic Mover (USA) 50-1 (9-1) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 12l behind Hereford Boy (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Colonel Sherman (USA) 40-1 (9-2) Bumped start, tracked leader to 4f out, weakened 3f out, 10th of 12, 28l behind Bosamcliff (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Prince Golan (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) In rear, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on to lead post, won at Southwell 1m Amateur Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) fbs in Nov beating Great Bounder (10-8) by hd, 14 ran.
Artreju (GER) 66-1 (8-11) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 31l behind Full Toss (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol.
Arashi 11-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 6l behind Shadows Lengthen (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
