led, headed 2f out, kept on towards finish
dwelt, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leaders, weakened final furlong
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
close up, led 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
non-runner
Nonrunner
Last year's winner Muwaary was the first winning favourite since 2007. He was trained by John Gosden and the latter runs Wolverhampton winner Sugar Boy in this. But jockey bookings suggest Strong Chemistry is preferred after his fourth in a Group 3 at Newmarket in October. Archie made a winning start at Haydock and Vesnina ran well in pattern company at Salisbury in September. Maiden winners Upstaging and Mujassam could go well but another handicap debutant, CAPEL PATH, gets a speculative vote with Ryan Moore on board the Newcastle winner for his return to action.
Strong Chemistry 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Commemorative (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Archie (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Chased leader, led 2f out, kept on well, won at Haydock 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Jun beating Medrano (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Vesnina 4-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 14th of 17, 8l behind Home Cummins (9-2) at Doncaster 6f 2yo fll hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Popeswood (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) In rear, headway on outer over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Tachophobia (8-3) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Capel Path (USA) 11-4 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on strongly, very comfortably, won at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct beating Taysh (9-5) by 4l, 8 ran.
Desert Force 4-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders over 2f out, driven and one pace over 1f out, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 13l behind Popeswood (8-12) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Mujassam 8-1 (9-5) Took keen hold tracking leading pair, 2nd approaching final 3f, ridden to challenge over 1f out, upsides inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 110 yards, won at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Mobsta (9-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Gerry The Glover (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Power Play (9-6) at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Ciao Cielo (GER) 11-1 (8-6) Mid-division and keen, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Moonlightnavigator (8-9) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) sft.
Upstaging 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Absolute Champion (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sugar Boy (GER) Evensfav (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 7f mdn auc stks (6) beating Dark Profit (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Hard To Handel 7-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, 8th of 10, 14l behind Qatar Road (9-0) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Caprior Bere (FR) 20-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Lexington Times (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Carry On Deryck 50-1 (9-1) Raced wide, held up, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 5l behind Lexington Times (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Bamboccianti 9-4fav (9-0) Held up tracking leaders on inside, went 2nd 2f out, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Ticks The Boxes (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hcp (2) in Nov.
Ustinov 33-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, held up in rear, weakened well over 1f out, last of 6, 13l behind Kodi Bear (9-3) at Ascot 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Jul.
