held up in touch, shaken up and chased leader 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
held up in last place, still last when wide into straight over 1f out, ridden and ran on to take 3rd inside final furlong, too much to do
in rear, wide into straight over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
raced wide, in touch, led halfway, ridden clear 2f out, headed and weakened quickly inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, switched left and effort on inside over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong
short of room soon after start, in rear, pushed along and not clear over 1f out, never dangerous
soon led, headed halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Art Man is fancied to get off the mark at the main expense of Cinematic and Royal Fantasy. Gary Moore's gelding has shown ability so far but his problem has been inconsistency. He is at home on the all-weather having run well over course and distance last time out and from a good draw he should run well. Cinematic looks the pick of Jim Boyle's pair as his stablemate Sky Quest is out of form and yet to win on the all-weather. Cinematic, a course and distance winner, has been in consistently good form of late, as has Optimus although he tends to find at least one too good. Resplendant Ace bounced back to form last time and must be a danger if in the same frame of mind, however whilst Royal Fantasy should go well with his form looking solid (doesn't tend to find much for pressure though), it is Art Man who is taken to win.
Optimus (USA) 9-2fav (9-7) In touch and keen, effort to chase leaders 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Russki (8-11) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
St Petersburg 16-1 (9-4) Held up behind, ridden and steady progress from 3f out, switched right 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Don't Panic (9-2) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Royal Fantasy (IRE) 3-1 (8-8) In touch, progress over 3f out, led just over 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Sister Maria (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (6) gd in Oct.
Art Man 28-1 (8-9) Behind, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Kaateb (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Cinematic (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Led after 1f, headed soon after, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Hits Only Cash (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Sky Quest (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 16, 12l behind Magroom (8-5) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Dream of Fortune (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Pop Music (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) With leader until over 6f out, remained close up, staying on when not clear run entering final furlong, not recover, 6th of 11, 6l behind Ashes Regained (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (4) pol in May.
Pagan Crest 20-1 (9-4) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 16, 19l behind Teodora Adivina (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Jago (SWI) 33-1 (9-10) Reluctant to load, took keen hold and soon tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 14, 5l behind Spirit of Adjisa (9-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Where's Broughton 14-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to get competitive, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Henry The Seventh (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
Uig 16-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, losing place when hampered over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 21l behind Silca Key (8-6) at Newbury 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Barodine 14-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 8l behind Wild Pitch (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Smokin Joe 8-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Im Ova Ere Dad (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
