chased leaders, bumped well over 1f out, soon every chance, ran on inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up, no progress over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, led just over 1f out, driven out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
in rear, shaken up well over 1f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, held up, always in rear
soon chasing leaders, lost place over 3f out, switched right well over 1f out, headway 1f out, swished tail and ran on inside final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led early, chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
The shortlist contains Vegas Boys, State Dilemma and Jahia and our preference is for State Dilemma. The selection isn't the speediest of starters but he is well drawn and can be expected to stay on stoutly when others have cried enough. Vegas Boys landed a gamble on his latest start but hopes of a quick follow up may be compromised by the allocation of a poor draw. Jahia ran a fair reappearance having been off the track for a couple of months and can be expected to have blown off the cobwebs for that outing. Bond Playboy is difficult to catch right but he has ability and is likely to be making headway into the places as they reach the final furlong. Caustic Wit has the ability to win this but there has been little to write home about in recent races. Carcinetto looks held by the handicapper at present while Phinerine shaped encouragingly in selling grade and does have a more favourable draw to work from on this occasion. Diamond Josh is often backed without success so the percentage call is to oppose.
Vegas Boys 11-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, edged left 4f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged left, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Cree (9-3) by 2l, 12 ran.
Bond Playboy 7-1 (8-8) Held up, not clear run 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Desert Opal (8-12) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
State Dilemma (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to snatch 3rd post, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Siraj (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Millfields Dreams 9-4fav (8-12) Chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Kempton 6f hcap (6) pol beating Double Valentine (8-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Carcinetto (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Chased leader, led 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Mine The Balance (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcap (6) pol.
Jahia (NZ) 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, stayed on from over 1f out not troubled leaders, 7th of 10, 4l behind Decider (9-2) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Diamond Josh 6-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 8l behind Succeed (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcap (6) pol.
Blakeshall Quest 15-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, led 4f out, all out to hold on, gamely, won at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs beating Nebdi (9-3) by a shd, 14 ran.
