towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on towards finish
keen in rear, ridden 4f out, switched left over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, headway on inside 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
always in rear
slowly into stride, switched left over 1f out, late progress
held up mid-division, effort and headway 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, shaken up over 1f out, every chance when shaken up, not quicken over 1f out
led, headed after 1f, led again 4f out, headed over 1f out and faded
mid-division, ridden 2f out, switched left final furlong, kept on
mid-division to rear, headway 4f out, ridden over turf out, weakened
prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened quickly
held up in touch on inside, ridden over 2f out, one pace
led after 1f, headed 4f out, soon weakened
War At Sea is taken to come out on top over the likes of Key Partners, Wise Choice and Doveden Hero, with Tresor Secret and Escoffier worth a small mention. War At Sea seemed to appreciate the step back up to two miles on his second visit here a week ago when he so nearly managed to prevail. Francis Norton brought him with a steady run to hit the front in the straight, but he was mugged by the even stronger finishing Mister Completely, and had to settle for second best. Granted a bit of luck from his low draw, Tony Carroll's five-year-old can gain compensation here. Key Partners has only had two outings in the past 18-months, and as he was forced to race wide into the straight at Wolverhampton last time but still grabbed second, he has to be on the short-list. Wise Choice has been off since running over hurdles in November, while Dovedon Hero looked to be going better than anything at Lingfield last time but found nothing when let down, so is upped in trip today. The market may reveal whether anything else such as Tresor Secret or Escoffier is fancied, but War At Sea will be, and can go one better.
War At Sea (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Held up, headway on outside 4f out, led over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Mister Completely (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Key Partners (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Melvino (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Dovedon Hero 6-1 (9-2) In touch, effort 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Lorikeet (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Zacatecas (GER) 66-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened well over 2f out, last of 5, 26l behind Hilltop Destiny (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Steadied start, in rear, late headway over 1f out, never threaten leaders, 5th of 10, 5l behind Burgundy (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Amwell Brave 11-2 (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 8l behind Little Richard (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Dolzago 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders until weakened quickly over 3f out, last of 10, 21l behind Maystock (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f app hcp (5) pol in Nov '05.
Tresor Secret (FR) 13-2 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 27l behind Melvino (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Escoffier 7-2 (8-13) Led 1f, tracked leader afterwards, led again over 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Burgundy (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Noble Minstrel 15-8fav (8-9) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 6l behind Hilltop Destiny (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Serramanna 7-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 3f out, switched left, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 9l behind Mister Completely (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lennoxtown (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) In touch to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ifatfirst (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Consuelita 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, ridden over 3f out, always towards rear, 9th of 11, 10l behind Scutch Mill (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Wise Choice 7-2fav (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, went 2nd 2f out, carried slightly right from over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 11, nk behind Lolla's Spirit (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Sept.
