in touch, ridden to challenge 3f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt and towards rear, ridden along 3f out, never reached challenging position
always rear division
towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, some late headway, never near to challenge
held up, headway over 4f out, driven over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
led, headed 3f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden along when outpaced over 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
mid-division, driven over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, effort over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, ran on final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on towards finish
held up, headway over 4f out, led 3f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
This is tricky and a tentative vote goes to Shape Up ahead of Highest Regard and Carlton Scroop. Shape Up beat his Nottingham field in very good style last time but a 10 pounds rise in what is possibly a better race means he has to pull out even more stops. A return to last season's best would give Sforzando claims, while Alfonso certainly begins the year on a possibly-interesting mark. Great Quest has won off today's mark in Ireland, although that was over 12 furlongs, while Highest Regard won here over 10 furlongs from a one-pound lower mark last season so canot be ruled out on that basis. Osolomio progressed towards the end of last season and surely has better to come and Carlton Scroop comes into this race fit and well and on the back of an all-weather win. Others to mention are Intavac Boy, who is three pounds above his Beverley winning mark of last season, Tranos has scope for improvement, Le Soleil is just two pounds above a 10-furlong winning mark of last season, Danzatrice is just three pounds above his Musselburgh 14-furlong winning mark of last season, Royal Melbourne has place claims if at his best, Vice Admiral is not far off a winning mark, and Balwearie can't be ruled out from today's mark if anywhere near his best. It all adds up to a competitive affair, with the selection being Shape Up.
Shape Up (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Made all, quickened over 2f out, drew clear over 1f out, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Camille Pissarro (8-10) by 6l, 11 ran.
Sporting Gesture 9-1 (9-10) Led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Virginia Rose (8-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Nov.
Alfonso 7-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway to chase leaders on outside over 5f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 12, 7l behind Marmooq (8-11) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Sept.
Osolomio (IRE) 13-8fav (8-12) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov beating Saltrio (9-6) by 2l, 12 ran.
Carlton Scroop (FR) 10-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, always prominent, slightly short of room over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out or over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar beating Buscador (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 12.
Andre Chenier (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind York Cliff (8-11) at Ayr 1m 5f app hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Intavac Boy 11-8fav (8-1) Chased clear pair, headway well over 1f out on inner, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cripsey Brook (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 4f app hcp (5) gd.
Danzatrice 9-1 (8-10) Held up, mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, one pace, no impression, 4th of 15, 7l behind Bollin Derek (9-1) at York 1m 6f hcap (5) sft in Oct.
