led, ridden over 1f out, all out and headed line
held up, ridden over 1f out, plugged on, never troubled leaders
tracked leader, ridden and edged left under pressure over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, chased leader over 1f out, led line
in touch, ridden and weakened soon after halfway
held up, some progress on inside over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened 2f out
This could turn out to be a duel between joint top weights YUNGABURRA and Woodcote, while hoping to get the better of the likely top two in the betting will be Desperate Dan. Yungaburra finished ahead of Woodcote when they met here in November with just a pound difference in the weights and that was in a better race than this. Since then Woodcote's won a moderate Lingfield seller while Yungaburra won a sprint handicap here. Both are usually involved in the finish and it's hard to split them. Woodcote is the only runner on the card for the Chamings yard, and George Baker has won with him before when carrying even more. Desperate Dan, Fire Up The Band and Mr Loire are all course and distance winners. Desperate Dan isn't always the quickest away, but we know he's got ability after a successful summer and autumn at this level. A first time visor may help. However, for the winner, and it's almost on the toss of a coin, we'll side with Yungaburra ahead of Woodcote.
Woodcote (IRE) 9-4 (8-12) Tracked leading pair, effort approaching final furlong, driven to lead just inside final furlong, headed and kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Brandywell Boy (8-4) at Lingfield 5f clm (6) pol.
Yungaburra (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Sir Nod (8-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Decider (USA) 12-1 (8-6) Pulled hard, joined leader after 1f, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 4l behind Brandywell Boy (8-4) at Lingfield 5f clm (6) pol.
Desperate Dan 25-1 (8-11) Started slowly, always behind, 9th of 10, 9l behind Back In The Red (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Fire Up The Band 16-1 (8-8) Soon pushed along, always towards rear, 9th of 10, 11l behind Monte Major (9-0) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Lytton 10-3 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 12l behind Singleb (9-9) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Mr Loire 11-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, switched right and headway entering final furlong, ran on to take 3rd post, 3rd of 13, 4l behind All You Need (9-0) at W'hampton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Spanish Ace 16-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind All You Need (9-0) at W'hampton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Rocketball (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Always towards rear, ridden well over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Welsh Opera (8-9) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Wynberg (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Mid-division, took keen hold, pushed along halfway, not clear run on inside over 2f out, headway 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 7l behind Smirfys Systems (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
