held up mid-division, effort well over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
always in rear, raced keen early, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
led, clear 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon hung left and beaten
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong
None of this small field should be immediately written off, but from a shortlist of MILLFIELD, Kensington and Pension Policy, we'll side with the first named. The selection can follow up a win at Kempton with success here, although Pat Chamings' gelding isn't always the quickest away, he's got plenty of time to make up ground if that's the case again. He's giving weight away to all bar Kensington, who stays competitive with a five pound claimer doing the steering. Although the old boy of the field, he's still keen on the game and usually involved at the finish. He's proved versatile over the years, and this is his Great Leighs debut, but he's the only one in the field yet to win over this trip. The visor brought about improvement for Pension Policy last time out, and further progress could be enough to land this. Murrin was further down the field in that contest. You could make a case for any of them really, but we think the most likely winner is Millfield.
Kensington (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, headed last strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Balata (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Millfield (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Started slowly, held up rear trio, good headway over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, clear inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Follow The Flag (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden to press leader 2f out, led just over 1f out, no extra when headed final half furlong and lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 6, 2l behind Bavarica (8-2) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (5) pol.
Blacktoft (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Raced keenly, led, steaded pace at halfway, ridden and headed well over 1f out, looked beaten when hampered and checked 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Slip (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Pension Policy (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden every chance from well over 1f out, edged left and led just inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Young Bertie (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Networker 4-1 (8-12) Mid-division and keen, headway on inside over 1f out, not much room and one pace, 7th of 9, 6l behind Carnivore (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Murrin (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Young Bertie (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
