took keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not troubled leaders
soon tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, not pace of winner
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon in rear, eased over 1f out
soon led, headed narrowly 3f out, led again briefly 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, lost 2nd final strides
took keen hold and settled in rear, stayed on final 2f, never nearer
steadied start, towards rear, headway over 2f out to chase leaders, ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
raced keenly, tracked leader after 2f, led narrowly 3f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent to 3f out, soon ridden, slightly hampered and checked over 2f out, soon behind
raced keenly on outer, always rear group, never a factor
in touch on inner, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, stayed on again inside final furlong and closed on leaders near finish
behind, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders on outer, ridden over 2f out, weakened from 2f out
Basra is sure to have his supporters here but we prefer the claims of Master Pegasus, who is nominated over Zero Cool. Chris Wall's four-year-old was a fair third behind Abbodanza at Wolverhampton last time but that was quite a hot race and if he can reproduce that run here then he will not be far away at the finish. Basra is an obvious danger as he went close last time when he was narrowly beaten by Atlantic Story. However, the fact that he hasn't won for over 2 years does slightly temper confidence in him. Zero Cool returns to the level after a spin over hurdles last time and he is lightly-raced so don't be surprised to see him go well. Ochre won well on Thursday but he has a penalty for that success which might just find him out. Master Pegasus is no good thing, but he looks to have solid claims here and he gets our vote.
Master Pegasus 5-2 (9-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out until over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Abbondanza (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (4) pol.
Basra (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, rallied towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Atlantic Story (9-5) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Zero Cool (USA) 11-4fav (9-0) Led, narrowly headed over 3f out, regained lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong no extra, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Duchess Royale (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Dichoh 9-1 (9-2) Led soon after start, tracked leader, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Risque Heights 16-1 (9-1) In rear, some headway 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 13, 4l behind Atlantic Story (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Alfresco 6-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Abbondanza (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (4) pol.
Lopinot (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Towards rear, late headway on outer final 2f, never nearer, 7th of 13, 4l behind Atlantic Story (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Buxton 9-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3/4l behind Demisemiquaver (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
She's My Outsider 100-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 21l behind Cartimandua (8-8) at Haydock 6f lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Bee Stinger 18-1 (8-13) Led early, chased winner, ridden 3f out, beaten 2f out, last of 5, 10l behind Abbondanza (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (4) pol.
Waterline Twenty (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 8, 1/2l behind Gaelic Princess (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Ochre (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Held up behind leaders, pushed along over 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Masterofthecourt (9-1) by 3l, 9 ran.
