held up in rear, some headway 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, pulled hard, blundered last, soon led, ran on well
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, outpaced from 2 out
tracked leaders, led 5th, headed after last, no extra
held up mid-division, effort 4 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
prominent, weakened after 4th, pulled up before 3 out
led until 5th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along 4th, headway when hit 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on well towards finish, never trouble leaders
prominent, driven to challenge after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
Indicible can step up on the form of his debut and take this heat at the main expense of Manjam and Hitaaf. Indicible ran far better than his finishing position suggests at Kempton as he never really settled and was reported to have been blowing hard after the race. He should strip far fitter this time and can be expected to post a much improved performance. Stablemate Otarie is not without claims and should handle the ground if her bumper form is anything to go by, Fortunate Isle should give another good account but has had his limitations exposed and Hitaaf and Manjam appeal as bigger dangers. The former was hard pressed to make a winning debut over 2 miles 5 at Ludlow having fought for his head most of the way but it would be no surprise to see more use of him made over this shorter trip and he's open to improvement. Manjam was far from disgraced in the Newbury novice won by Celestial Halo and is one to watch closely in the betting but the vote goes to Indicible.
Hitaaf (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Held up, keen, headway 3 out, hard ridden to lead final stride, won at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Dasher Reilly (11-0) by a shd, 5 ran.
Abstract Art (USA) 100-1 (11-0) Keen, mid-division, mistake 5th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 7th of 18, 42l behind Khyber Kim (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Early Wings (GER) 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 6th of 14, 18l behind South O'The Border (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec '06.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Puy d'Arnac (11-3) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Island Flyer (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 13, 18l behind Edgeover (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gs.
Napolito (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, no impression, 6th of 14, 33l behind Premier Des Marais (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Paktolos (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, close up when mistake 3 out, soon ridden, weakening when badly hampered 2 out, 11th of 18, well behind Khyber Kim (11-0) at Newbury 2m hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Silver Twist 66-1 (10-13) Pulled hard, tracked leader, led 4th, headed next, ridden and weakened 11th then fell 4 out in race won by Sheriff Roscoe (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
Bellassini 200-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 17, 36l behind Numide (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Otarie (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 7f, came slightly wide entering straight when under pressure, stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Aya (10-2) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Persona (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 18, 16l behind Enforce (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Indicible (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, driven after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 33l behind Red Flare (10-7) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Manjam (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, well behind Celestial Halo (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
