headway on outer to track leaders after 2f, went 2nd 10f out, ridden and no response over 2f out, weakened tamely from over 1f out
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
hampered start in touch towards rear, wide into straight over 2f out, headway to lead approaching final furlong, ran on
held up, headway 2f out, chance when short of room over 1f out, rallied to go 2nd inside final furlong
prominent, tracked leaders 10f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on one pace
behind until halfway, in touch in rear, wide into straight over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong
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This is a lot more competitive than last year's renewal, won by Tac De Boistron. But Marco Botti's stayer again showed his class in the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp in October, beating High Jinx with more in hand than the official margin suggests. Vent De Force was well beaten and looks to have little chance of reversing the placings with the front two. Forever Now was odds-on for his reappearance over 1m6f at Nottingham but could only finish third behind stablemate Deuce Again. He's 2lb better off but both would need to improve on that form to take a hand in the finish here. Pallasator is interesting as he goes well fresh and wasn't beaten far in a Group 2 here in October but this is a huge step up for Wakea and the filly Hidden Gold. There are high hopes that MIZZOU will develop into a cup horse this year and this first try over 2m is long overdue. Very lightly raced, he would have won a Listed race over 1m6f here in the autumn in another couple of strides so gets the nod.
Pallasator 8-1 (9-7) Unseated rider leaving paddock and led to post with lead pony, held up last, rapid headway to track leader after 2f, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Forgotten Rules (9-7) at Ascot 2m Grp 2 (1) hvy in Oct.
Seismos (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) 9th of 22, 13l behind Protectionist (8-13) at Flemington(AUS) 2m Grp 1 hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Stomachion (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Soon mid-division, 11th halfway, 9th 3f out, one pace from under 2f out, 11th of 22, 7l behind Clondaw Warrior (8-8) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp in Oct.
Forever Now 10-11fav (8-12) Held up in touch, headway to press leader 9f out, kept quite wide in back straight, lost 2nd over 5f out, ridden and one pace over 2f out, no impression on leaders, went 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Deuce Again (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed stks (1) sft.
Mizzou (IRE) 15-8 (9-1) In touch, in rear, ridden and unable to quicken over 2f out, ran on final furlong, gaining near finish, 3rd of 6, hd behind Big Orange (9-4) at Ascot 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Vent De Force 14-1 (8-9) 11th of 13, 15l behind Tac De Boistron (9-4) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Wakea (USA) 10-11fav (9-8) Made all, kept on well, easily, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Buckland (9-3) by 2l, 7 ran.
Hidden Gold (IRE) 5-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outer approaching final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Mymatechris (9-1) at Lingfield 2m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol.
High Jinx (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) 2nd of 13, 1l behind Tac De Boistron (9-4) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Tac De Boistron (FR) 7-4fav (9-4) won at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 1 sft in Oct beating High Jinx (9-4) by 1l, 13 ran.
Continuum 9-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, hampered after 4f, driven over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, never on terms, 6th of 14, 4l behind Lord Van Percy (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Nearly Caught (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 33, 3l behind Big Easy (8-7) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Deuce Again 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, closed 5f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led just over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed stks (1) sft beating Island Remede (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
