held up towards rear, last and ridden over 3f out, soon well behind
chased leaders, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, soon headed and edged right, led again inside final furlong, stayed on well
mid-division, ridden and effort over 1f out, not quicken entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, angled out right and shaken up 3f out, headway over 2f out, not pace of leaders 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, not clear run from over 2f out until over 1f out, driven and stayed on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish
pressed leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish
awkward and went right start, held up towards rear, not much room 2f out, no impression over 1f out
led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Royal Shaheen ran in this last year but finished last. Swift Emperor was second last time at York but beaten five lengths and is due some help from the handicapper, though should again beat Pontefract winner Silvery Moon. Canberra Cliffs was only third off this mark at Doncaster when chasing a hat-trick but is the junior member of this field and Mick Easterby's pair, Qaffaal and Magic City, are also worth a second look. AWAKE MY SOUL usually makes the running and is still fairly treated judged on his latest fourth in better company at Newbury - he could take some pegging back.
Qaffaal (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Chiefofchiefs (8-9) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Awake My Soul (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Soon led, clear over 6f out, steadied pace 4f out, headed 3f out, remained handy, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Century Dream (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Swift Emperor (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Dwelt, towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 18, 5l behind Grand Inquisitor (9-0) at York 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Compton Mill 8-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 14, at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Gulf Of Poets 50-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 8th of 18, 9 3/4l behind Grand Inquisitor (9-0) at York 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Canberra Cliffs (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Ajman King (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Silvery Moon (IRE) 9-2fav (9-2) Close up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Tuff Rock (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Magic City (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, steadied off heels after 1f, held up in mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on well into 3rd towards finish, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Monaadhil (9-0) at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Royal Shaheen (FR) 10-1 (9-4) Raced wide close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Silvery Moon (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
