tracked leader, lost place over 2f out, eased over 1f out
led after 1f, 3 lengthes clear at halfway, driven over 2f out, hung right under pressure inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, hung left when ridden to challenge entering final furlong, staying on same pace when hampered closing stages
in touch, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on, never nearer
behind, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, edged left, ridden out
led 1f, chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, lost place over 2f out
A highly competitive handicap with quite a few of these known to each other. Mia's Boy finished just ahead of True To Form when fifth over 1m2f here last weekend and Emerald Wilderness occupied the same position in a race over track and trip on the same card. The latter had earlier finished behind GEORGE GURU, who in turn had found Loyalty too good at Kempton in November. But Mike Atwatter's charge re-opposes on much better terms today and it could be his turn to get his head in front. Progressive on the Turf last season, Haaf A Sixpence ran well for third at Wolverhampton last time and is another to consider in a wide-open affair.
Strictly Silver (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Held up in rear, never a factor, 6th of 7, 11l behind Prince Alzain (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Nov.
Luhaif 5-1 (8-2) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, soon well beaten, last of 5, 12l behind Tamayuz Star (8-8) at Newbury 7f cond Stakes (4) gf in Jul.
Haaf A Sixpence 11-4fav (9-6) Led, joined over 4f out, strongly challenged over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Solar Deity (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
George Guru 8-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind String Theory (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Emerald Wilderness (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Pulled hard in touh, effort on wide outside over 2f out, soon no impression, 4th of 6, 4l behind Grey Mirage (9-0) at Lingfield 1m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol.
True To Form (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Swing Alone (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Dance And Dance (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway into mid-division on outside over 4f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 12, 5l behind Marshgate Lane (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Loyalty 9-2 (8-8) In touch, headway when not clear run entering final 2f, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Galician (9-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Mia's Boy 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, faded closing stages, 5th of 8, 2l behind Swing Alone (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Birdman (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Whipped round and unseated rider leaving stalls, in a race won by Galician (9-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec, 7 ran.
Favourite Treat (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on outside, ridden 3f out, lost place 2f out, soon behind, 8th of 9, 6l behind Alfred Hutchinson (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Upavon 3-1fav (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Verse Of Love (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
