held up on outer, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon clear
behind, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, never dangerous
led, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, not clear run over 1f out, checked entering final furlong, eased afterwards
towards rear, plenty to do over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to take 2nd towards finish, not reached winner
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, effort over 1f out, not quicken, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, not troubled leaders
chased leaders to over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Desperate Dan, Financial Times and Hotham and the tentative nomination is given to Financial Times. The selection was a fair second behind Dig Deep last time out, that form looks solid and in this small field he is taken to make all. Desperate Dan rates the main danger on his latest second behind Hereford Boy but he is prone to breaking blood vessels and at likely odds he looks worth taking on. Hotham won well last time out when beating Joyeaux but this looks more competitive and this hold up performer will need plenty of luck in running if he is to score. Bluebok could go well at a price from a good draw. Of the remainder Tony The Tap is well in on his best form but is hard to win with and with this in mind for the winner we return to Financial Times.
Desperate Dan 11-2 (9-2) In rear, plenty to do over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, took 2nd close home, gaining on winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Hereford Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Peter Island (FR) 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, raced wide in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, last of 10, 8l behind New York Oscar (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (4) pol in Oct.
Financial Times (USA) 8-1 (8-8) Soon led, ridden when headed inside final furlong, soon held, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Dig Deep (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Bluebok 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind New York Oscar (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (4) pol in Oct.
Tony The Tap 7-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Ajigolo (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Hotham 10-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, stayed on well near finish, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Sunoverregun (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) std.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Led early, with leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Spanish Ace (9-8) at Warwick 5f hcap (5) gf in Apr.
Mogok Ruby 12-1 (8-10) With leader, led over 2f out, ridden and fading when headed over 1f out, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Fabuleux Millie (9-6) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept '06.
Egyptian Lord 20-1 (9-1) Towards rear, outpaced final 2f, 9th of 10, 10l behind Hereford Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Peopleton Brook 12-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 7l behind Ebraam (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
