tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
mid-division, pushed along and headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened
in touch, headway and effort over 1f out, kept on under pressure
towards rear, ridden over 2f, soon one pace
led, headed over 1f out, weakened towards finish
always behind
towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leader, led briefly over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
CRITICAL THINKING was winning for the fourth time at this venue when scoring over track and trip recently. He’s raised 3lb but drops down a grade today and another bold bid looks on the cards. Robero took advantage of a slide down the weights to win at Southwell last week and remains on a winning mark despite carrying a penalty while Espresso Freddo is not badly treated on his winning form though hasn’t threatened the winner despite placing at Kempton the last twice. De Little Engine was in good form here during the summer though in lower grade contests while Zoraya has a shout back over 7f today.
Robero 5-1 (9-6) Close up, headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Thechildren'strust (9-7) by 1l, 12 ran.
Zoraya (FR) 12-1 (9-5) Tracked leader until halfway, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Matterhorn (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Critical Thinking (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final 100 yards, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Baltic Prince (9-3) by 1l, 11 ran.
Espresso Freddo (IRE) 4-1cfav (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Kyllachy Dragon (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Pearl Spectre (USA) 20-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 12, 10 1/2l behind Matterhorn (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Dark Alliance (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Steadied start, pulled hard in rear, well beaten over 1f out, 9th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Blaze Of Hearts (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Stoneyford Lane (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Turanga Leela (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
De Little Engine (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 7 1/4l behind Kyllachy Dragon (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Jupiter 50-1 (8-8) Keen early, tracked clear leader, lost place over 2f out, last of 10, 21 1/4l behind Podemos (9-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Our Man In Havana 8-1 (9-3) In touch, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, staying on when hampered inside final furlong, faded, 7th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Poeta Brasileiro (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Fiery Breath 12-1 (9-5) Dwelt towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Wilson (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
