prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked winner until hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
not much room soon after start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no response
held up, raced keenly, headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, urged along, no impression inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on well
pushed along leaving stalls, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, some late headway, never dangerous
Nonrunner
DESPERATE DAN is the standout at the weights for this and gets the vote ahead of Obe Gold, Musical Script and Lethal. The last-named loves it here and is now well below the abilities of which he was once capable, being officially rated just 63. This trip is probably the gelding's optimum, while he comes here in good order, but he does have plenty to find at these weights. Musical Script was runner-up here over 7f in a handicap last time but does have course and distance winning form from a higher mark than this and with a good pitch could emerge as a leading player, while Obe Gold acts on the Polytrack and goes well at this trip and he should find this a bit easier than the handicaps he has been trashed in at the track recently. Sam's Cross is inconsistent but capable enough to make a bold showing at a track he likes, if on a going day, though preference is for Desperate Dan. Andy Haynes' eight-year-old is well in at the weights and is effective over both 5f and this trip. On the negative side he has no winning form here, being more of a Wolverhampton specialist, but given that he has won at Lingfield he should act on this fast surface and we will side with him.
Mr Funshine 150-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 8, 21l behind Ebraam (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f clm stks (6) pol.
Obe Gold 16-1 (9-2) Slowly away, went left start and always behind, 11th of 12, 18l behind Arteus (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Sam's Cross (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, lost place well over 2f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Todber (8-9) at Kempton 6f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Oct.
Desperate Dan 11-4fav (8-4) Mid-division, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Bertie Southstreet (8-5) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Lethal 2-1fav (9-1) Led, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on well until no extra and headed final 50 yard and just held for 2nd, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Speak The Truth (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, driven over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra near finish, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Sonhador (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Oct.
Hayley's Girl 50-1 (8-7) Mid-division, never nearer, 8th of 13, 10l behind Fourtowns Flyer (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Deckchair 16-1 (8-13) In touch, chased leader over 2f out to over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 12, 12l behind Rudolph Schmidt (8-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Oct.
Musical Script (USA) 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway and weaved through over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, hd behind Fernando Torres (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Deo Valente (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Taken to post early, chased leaders, ridden after 2f out, driven halfway, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 20l behind Fantasy Fighter (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol.
