held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge
chased leaders, hung right and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong, driven out
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon no impression
raced keenly towards rear, never a factor
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, never on terms
led, hard driven well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied close home
behind, some late headway, never nearer
always behind
Captain Dimitrios was gaining his first all-weather victory on his 16th start here last week and a 5lb rise looks a little harsh. Waabel, who finished a close third, should get much closer on these terms. Speak The Truth caught Efistorm in the final strides here a week ago and a big run from the runner-up in the first division will boost his chances. Rio Royale attempted to make all in that race but faded when headed at the furlong pole. ALDERMOOR came back from a break to score when fancied at Kempton in September. He's only had three subsequent runs and looks to have been given a chance here by the assessor so gets the vote.
Aldermoor (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 7l behind Rivas Rhapsody (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Riflessione 11-1 (8-13) Smartly away, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, edged right briefly inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Desert Strike (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (5) pol.
Speak The Truth (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Efistorm (9-3) by hd, 12 ran.
Dead Cool 8-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 5l behind Russian Ice (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Forty Proof (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Outpaced, never on terms, last of 7, 4 1/2l behind Desert Strike (8-7) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (5) pol.
Rio Royale (IRE) 7-2fav (9-6) Led, strongly challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Speak The Truth (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Waabel 16-1 (9-4) Led, hard driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Captain Dimitrios (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Captain Dimitrios 33-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, hard driven to challenge 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Loyal Royal (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Chjimes (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Captain Dimitrios (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Memphis Man 25-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well, not quite get to winner, 2nd of 11, nk behind Belinsky (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Black Baccara 11-1 (8-6) Slowly away, soon driven and prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 7l behind Cadeaux Pearl (9-6) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
