in touch, ridden 3f out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden to lead briefly over 2f out, no extra
in touch, chased leaders 2f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, stayed on again, not reached leaders
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
always in rear
never better than mid-division
always in rear
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, faded
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, plugged on
Another competitive heat with only 6lb separating the top nine in the weights. CARMENERO is given the vote to win although his wins to runs ratio does not inspire too much confidence. Gold Express and Cornus are put forward as others for consideration in a wide open race. More forcing tactics were applied with Carmenero last time out when he finished second behind Internationaldebut and while it failed to yield a victory, it was a solid effort against a horse in fine form. Gold Express was clearly well suited by stepping up to seven furlongs last time out and should he attract support in the market beforehand, do take note as the yard are quite astute with their small team. Cornus is very exposed but on a going day he can put it up to the majority at this level. He went very close to landing David Probert the apprentice title at Doncaster on his last start. Fiefdom has gone back up the weights following his two recent victories but cannot be left out of it while Danish Art would be another of interest if attracting market support. Carmenero is given the vote to win it.
Fiefdom (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up mid division, ridden 2f out, one pace, 6th of 10, 3l behind Internationaldebut (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Russian Reel 50-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden over 2f out, short of room when clipped heels, never dangerous afterwards, 9th of 12, 11l behind Dazzling Bay (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Everybody Knows 16-1 (9-7) Chased leader, led 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Red Merlin (9-7) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Cornus 9-1 (8-9) Held up, headway 2f out, hung left over 1f, ran on to lead briefly inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 21, 3/4l behind Misphire (8-12) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Carmenero (GER) 15-2 (8-9) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Internationaldebut (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Danish Art (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3f out, one pace and eased close home, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Without Prejudice (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Pha Mai Blue 16-1 (8-9) In touch, effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Smokey Rye (8-9) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol in Oct.
Ivory Lace 25-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and lost place 2f out, kept on again final furlong, but not troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 4l behind Romany Princess (9-2) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Ike Quebec (FR) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, chased leader 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 12l behind Kinnego Bay (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Trimlestown (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, still last over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, gaining on leaders towards finish, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Brandywell Boy (8-7) at Kempton 6f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Napoletano (GER) 12-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Outside Edge (8-13) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sept.
I Confess 7-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, gaining on winner, just failed, 2nd of 9, nk behind Monkey Glas (9-3) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Gold Express 4-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Angaric (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
