Shavansky beat a handful of these when successful over track and trip last month. He has leading claims once again. Lowther finished closest to him last time with Super Say and Spifer not beaten far, but the latter's stablemate HALFSIN makes most appeal in this. He returned to form with a cosy victory over course and distance a week ago and can shrug off a penalty. I'm Fraam Govan and Jazz Master are other recent course winners but both are stepping up a couple of grades for this.
Open Eagle (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 6l behind Shavansky (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Spifer (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and pressing leaders inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Shavansky (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Lowther 16-1 (9-1) Close up, effort over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, ns behind Spirit Of The Law (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Castilo Del Diablo (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Soon in touch in mid-division, headway on outside 8f out, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 7th of 12, 3l behind Shavansky (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Troopingthecolour 14-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, strong run to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Glorious Protector (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Halfsin (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Made all, steadied pace 8f out, quickened 3f out, ridden and hard pressed inside final 2f, stayed on well inside final furlong, going away towards finish, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Stevie Thunder (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Shavansky 25-1 (8-10) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, stayed on, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov beating Litigant (9-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
I'm Fraam Govan 2-1fav (9-8) Soon pushed along and in touch, lost place and towards rear over 8f out, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, pressed in closing stages, always holding on, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Saoi (9-8) by hd, 10 ran.
Icebuster 7-1 (8-8) Raced keenly, held up in touch, effort 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Halfsin (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Layl (USA) 6-1 (8-10) Led early, prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards, 10th of 12, 6l behind Shavansky (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Zamoyski 11-4 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out to chase leader, led last 100 yards, held on well towards finish, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul beating Autun (9-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Presburg (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Held up in last pair, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 4th of 7, 5l behind Halfsin (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Super Say (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Prominent, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Shavansky (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Jazz Master 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, closed to lead 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Noble Protector (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
