tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden to go 3rd entering final furlong, no real impression on leaders well inside final furlong
soon lead, headed 2f out, soon weakened
steadied start, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
squeezed out start, behind, some headway over 2f out, never nearer
steadied start, behind, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
in touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up towards rear, good headway on inside 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
steadied start, settled in rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, finished strongly nearest finish
Faithful Ruler can come out on top here and he is nominated over Royal Envoy and Ever Cheerful. The selection could be worth another chance as he pulled too hard last time after being really well supported in the market. He will need to settle better today, but if he can, then he looks to have a live chance. Royal Envoy is from a yard who have been in really good form and he won well here last time over 6f. This step-up in trip should suit and he would be dangerous to dismiss lightly. Ever Cheerful is a model of consistency and he again could be booked for an each-way place today, especially over this trip which suits. Imperium has the worst of the draw which will make life tough for him, and a better bet looks to be Faithful Ruler who looks worth another chance.
Ever Cheerful 5-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, tracked leader, ridden an effort 2f out, not quicken and kept on one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Rabbit Fighter (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Faithful Ruler (USA) 7-4fav (8-10) Raced wide, in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Corlough Mountain (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Willhewiz 8-1 (9-0) Led, edged right 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and faded inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Rabbit Fighter (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Kempsey 16-1 (8-7) In touch on outside, beaten halfway, 11th of 15, 7l behind Spanish Ace (9-10) at Bath 5f hcp 0-75 (5) frm in Apr.
Takitwo 9-2 (8-8) Prominent, effort inside final 2f, no extra, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 4l behind Smokin Joe (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Imperium 10-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to go 2nd briefly inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 2l behind King After (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcap (6) pol in Dec.
Zazous 14-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 1l behind Muktasb (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Royal Envoy (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Arfinnit (8-8) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Unlimited 33-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and struggling 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 10, 19l behind Ninth House (9-1) at Lingfield 1m app clm (6) pol in Dec.
Mister Trickster (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon close up, driven to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Otago (9-0) at Brighton 1m 3yo stk (F3) frm in Sept '04.
