soon in touch, ridden 3f out, ran on to 2nd well inside final furlong
keen with leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest at finish
led, ridden when hung right over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
fly-lept start, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong
held up and behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not clear run from over 1f out, never able to challenge
behind, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
In a race that will take little winning, Alpaga Le Jomage is selected to gain the upper hand over Snow Bunting, Shannon Arms and Out For a Stroll. There are quite a few of these either out of form or lacking a recent run, but not so Alpaga Le Jomage who has been on good terms with himself of late. He felt the benefit of a wind operation to gain his first victory in two years at Southwell on New Year's Day, and then proved that was no fluke when running well to be second under a penalty over today's course and distance 12 days ago. Although this trip is probably as far as he wants to go, there are no doubts about his fitness, and he has no more to do this time. Snow Bunting has been off since since landing a seller here in November, and Shannon Arms could never land a blow against the selection at Southwell on what was his first outing for Kevin Ryan since coming over from Ireland. He is no doubt better than that, but is opposed again along with Out For a Stroll who was profitable to follow on Turf last year but who has yet to impress on this type of surface. All in all, Alpaga Le Jomage makes most appeal.
Lincolneurocruiser 14-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Local Poet (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Shannon Arms (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Dwelt, always in rear, 13th of 14, 13l behind Alpaga Le Jomage (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Alpaga Le Jomage (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Soon chasing leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance 1f out, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Samuel Charles (8-13) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Luna Tacumana (IRE) 7-2fav (9-12) Towards rear, last into straight, kept on under pressure without threatening from 2f out, 6th of 10, 6l behind Anno Jubilo (9-8) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp 0-70 frm in Jul.
Merdiff 5-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, hampered and lost place over 1f out, not recover, 9th of 10, 14l behind Kindlelight Debut (8-12) at W'hampton 7f app hcp (6) pol.
Tuscarora (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Behind, shaken up and some headway final furlong but never dangerous, 8th of 14, 5l behind Stoic Leader (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Snow Bunting 7-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Nov beating Quincannon (9-6) by 1l, 11 ran.
Out For A Stroll 6-1 (8-10) Always towards rear, under pressure over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 7l behind Glencalvie (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
