held up in rear, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous
soon pressed leader, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed narrowly inside final 2f, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression with winner final 100 yards, just held on for 2nd
held up behind, outpaced over 3f out, never near leaders
soon led, headed 4f out, weakened 2f out, behind final furlong
disputed lead early, tracked leaders, effort to lead narrowly inside final 2f, soon ridden, stayed on well final 100 yards
held up behind, driven and headway over 2f out, soon hung right and ridden, stayed on well on outside final furlong, not reached leaders
mid-division, driven 3f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, just failed for 2nd
mid-division, driven 3f out, never able to challenge, weakened final furlong
If Hanoverian Baron can reproduce his latest fifth behind Art Scholar in the November Handicap he could be a major factor here as he races off a pound lower mark. Spensley has won four times here, his latest victory coming off a higher mark in September last year. He shouldn't be far away while Be Perfect and Royal Peculiar are eased in grade but the in-form ESTEDAAMA will probably take all the beating again. Marcus Tregoning's filly has been raised 17lb since her winning run began but she still looked to be ahead of the handicapper when breaking her duck on Polytrack at Lingfield last time and can complete the four-timer. Desert Recluse returns from a two-year break and is probably best watched today while Fourth Generation races from out of the handicap.
Desert Recluse (IRE) 6-4fav (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, joined inside final 2f, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Mystery Star (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct '10.
Be Perfect (USA) 11-1 (8-13) Led after 1f, set steady pace, headed over 4f out, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 7, 5l behind Moone's My Name (9-7) at Newmarket 1m hcp 105 (2) sft in Oct.
Greylami (IRE) 15-2 (9-8) Mid-division, effort on inner over 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 12l behind Amoya (8-13) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) fm in Jul.
Royal Peculiar 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 21, 26l behind Party Line (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Into Wain (USA) 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind The Tiger (9-9) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Hanoverian Baron 40-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards, 5th of 23, 5l behind Art Scholar (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gd.
Spensley (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Henry Clay (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Estedaama (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) In touch, headway on outer over 2f out, soon pressed leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct beating Fleeting Image (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fourth Generation (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, headway when not clear run over over 1f out, soon switched left, ran on inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, nk behind Flying Power (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
