led, headed 2f out, one pace
always towards rear
towards rear, driven 3f out, stayed on final 2f
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, weakened final furlong
slow away, well behind, headway over 2f out, never on terms
behind, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong when not much room
chased leader, beaten 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, led 1f out, kept on well
A trappy little handicap rounds off proceedings, but we think that FAITHFUL RULER can reward backers, as long as taking to the ground. Grand Diamond and Jamieson Gold are also worthy of consideration. The selection is having his first try on turf, but has proved adept on the all-weather. This is only his third run for Richard Fahey, and he's also got an entry in a better race than this at Wolverhampton tomorrow. Grand Diamond has won here twice before but on faster ground than seems likely. He looks the pick of the two Jim Goldie runners, the other being top weight Wind Shuffle. Jamieson Gold backers will certainly be toasting him if he wins for the first time in more than a year. Quite a few here have claims but it won't take a world-beater to win it, and we think it'll go the way of Faithful Ruler. (Chris Cooper)
Wind Shuffle (GER) 7-2 (8-6) Close up, every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 12l behind Suits Me (9-6) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy.
Addikt (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling 3f out, 10th of 12, 16l behind Opera Prince (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Moheebb (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 18l behind Expresso Star (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Jamieson Gold (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up mid division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 15l behind Out Of Nothing (7-12) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy.
Faithful Ruler (USA) 9-4fav (9-8) Tracked leaders throughout, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct beating Rowan Lodge (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Harvest Warrior 9-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Angel Rock (8-13) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
Solis (GER) 40-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon chased leaders, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Moheebb (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sept.
Island Music (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division, kept on final 2f, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bavarian Nordic (8-13) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Chased leader over 1f, always prominent, led well over 1f out, soon edged slightly right and bumped, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Imperial Lucky (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Defi (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Led, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 6l behind Brandane (9-1) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy.
Bourse (IRE) 14-1 (7-13) Always behind, last of 6, 9l behind Moody Tunes (9-4) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm (4) sft in Aug.
Ours (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, keen, in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Smarty Socks (8-9) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
