prominent, chased leader over 2f out, soon hung right and weakened
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to chase leaders, stayed on same pace
behind, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed last 75 yards, no extra
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, all out
mid-division, under pressure 2f out, soon weakened
outpaced, hard driven halfway, eased over 2f out
behind, some late headway, never nearer
held up, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
led, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
The second division of the six furlong handicap looks more competitive; recent winner MISS FIREFLY is narrowly preferred to Muktasb and Charlie Delta. Ron Hodges' Compton Place mare showed a good attitude to score here last time out when given a peach of a ride by young Philip Prince. She got a great run through on that occasion and granted a clear passage today she should run well. If her 6lb penalty is too much to bear then it may pay to side with Muktasb. Derek Shaw's gelding has been holding his form well and despite a wide draw he is likely to be in the shakeup once again at his favourite track. Neil Callan looks an interesting jockey booking for Northern Empire, Transcentral has been plummeting down the handicap, whilst Mandhooma shaped with more promise last time out. Doctor Hilary and the consistent (at plating level) Charlie Delta also needs considering, but for the winner we are happy to stick with Miss Firefly.
Charlie Delta 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 3rd 2f out, outpaced by front pair from over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Caprio (9-12) at Kempton 7f clm stks (6) pol.
Miss Firefly 5-1 (10-6) Held up in touch, switched right 2f out, headway soon after, ridden to lead inside final furlong, idled near finish, won at Wolverhampton 6f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol beating Tamino (10-8) by nk, 12 ran.
Romantic Queen 12-1 (8-6) In rear, looking for a run from over 1f out, clear run just inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Obe Gold (9-7) at Lingfield 6f sell stks (6) pol.
Doctor Hilary 40-1 (9-4) Wide, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not troubled leaders, 6th of 12, 6l behind Bishopbriggs (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Mandhooma 14-1 (9-2) Led, headed 2f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 6l behind Tanley (8-8) at Lingfield 6f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol in Jan.
Muktasb (USA) 16-1 (8-0) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden and soon went 3rd, kept on, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Wyatt Earp (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol.
Northern Empire (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Always behind, last of 12, 10l behind Handsome Cross (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) in Dec.
Transcentral 66-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 11th of 14, 18l behind Fuzzy Cat (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Aug.
Avonlini 40-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 11l behind Straight Face (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Miacarla 80-1 (7-11) Close up, ridden and weakened halfway, 9th of 10, 16l behind Lithaam (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
