slowly into stride, soon prominent, went 2nd 7f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed just over 1f out, one pace
with leader, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
held up and behind, pushed along over 2f out, soon struggling
held up in touch, shaken up to lead just over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, readily
led 2f, pushed along and weakened 2f out
held up in rear, ridden 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off when eased over 1f out
A tricky start for punters as most would have some sort of chance, though Sir George Somers returns from an absence and makes his all-weather debut. Forbidden Planet has been switched to Roger Charlton having shown improved form at Wolverhampton in October. Sunbreak has won twice on Polytrack and produced a better effort last time at Southwell while Bayston Hill was ahead of Appenzeller at Chelmsford last time and seeks a third course victory. GRACEFUL JAMES was campaigned over a mile in the autumn but his last two victories have come over this longer trip. He is back on a winning mark so gets a tentative vote with King Of The Sand preferred to Seaborough of the others.
Graceful James (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Started slowly, towards rear, ridden and effort when switched right 2f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Roman Spinner (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
King Of The Sand (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Lexington Law (9-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Bayston Hill 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, ridden to challenge and every chance inside final furlong, 3rd and held near finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind The Night King (8-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Seaborough (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden and headway 2 out, no impression after, tailed off, 4th of 7, 33 1/4l behind Adjali (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Forbidden Planet 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, switched outside and ridden inside final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no impression with winner, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Decoration Of War (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Sunbreak (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Gabrials Centurion (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Jupiter 50-1 (8-13) Always behind, 10th of 11, 17 1/2l behind Robero (9-13) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Sir George Somers (USA) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, 7th and ridden after 3 out, well beaten from next, 10th of 14, 24 1/4l behind Dizzey Heights (10-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Appenzeller (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 13 1/2l behind The Night King (8-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
