in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
led, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
in touch, headway 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, readily
in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, chased leader 4f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
NEW YEAR'S NIGHT took the step up to today's trip in his stride to score at Wolverhampton last week. He looks to have a good opportunity of landing a double in this with the likes of Saoi and Lungarno Palace capable of going close but returning from a lay-off. Richard Hughes rides Cousin Khee but his mount is best over 2m nowadays while The Gay Cavalier failed to cope with a 6lb rise last time having notched up a couple of wins at Kempton last month.
Saoi (USA) 11-4fav (10-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well closing stages, never reached winner, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Brigadoon (9-9) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Be Perfect (USA) 14-1 (10-0) Led 4f, tracked leader until 10f out, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased, last of 16, well behind Kashmiri Sunset (8-12) at York 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Cousin Khee 3-1 (10-2) Led, ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, 6th of 7, 21l behind Purple Spectrum (9-7) at Wolverhampton 2m hcap (4) in Jan.
New Year's Night (IRE) 9-4 (8-11) Raced keenly, held up in touch, headway on outside over 2f out, challenged on outside in 2nd and hung left over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) beating Kings Bayonet (9-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lungarno Palace (USA) 10-3 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up in centre, headway under pressure and hung left from over 1f out, stayed on well final 100 yards, 3rd towards finish, going on close home, 3rd of 8, hd behind Unison (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
The Gay Cavalier 8-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Tryster (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (2) pol.
Echo Brava 7-2 (10-3) Held up in rear, closer order on wide outside halfway, wide on bend 3f out, one pace in 5th and no impression final 2f, 5th of 8, 9l behind Pivotman (10-8) at Kempton 1m 4f amt hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
