slightly hampered start, chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong
went right start, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong
with leader, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, not pace of winner
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
hampered start, tracked leaders, headway to lead well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong
soon outpaced, always behind
slightly hampered start, hung left, chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Fitz Flyer won by the narrowest of margins when successful here on Tuesday so he looks best left out of calculations under a 6lb penalty for that success with a better bet looking to be LESLEY'S CHOICE, who can confirm earlier form over course and distance with Equuleus Pictor. John Spearing's gelding is 4lbs better in with the selection for the three-quarters of a length that separated the pair at the beginning of last month and has every chance of reversing that form but he again had to settle for place money here last time and may have to do so once more today. The nine-year-old Pawan is still capable of fair form but does not win very often these days and looks best watched and of more interest may be Rebel Duke. The Ollie Pears-trained gelding has the beating of Equuleus Pictor on running behind Fitz Flyer and cannot be discounted. Bryan Smart's Nickel Silver made all the running when beating Colorus here two weeks ago and has every chance of following up that success but a 7lb rise for that win makes this more difficult and preference is for Lesley's Choice. The three-year-old has been in good form of late for Roger Curtis, winning his last three starts including two over course and distance, and he can defy the 4lb rise for the latest of those successes.
Fitz Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead post, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Dec beating Rebel Duke (8-8) by ns, 8 ran.
Lesley's Choice 2-1fav (9-1) Tracked leader, led after 2f, ridden and joined 1f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to assert towards finish, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Dec beating Equuleus Pictor (8-11) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Canadian Danehill (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, soon in rear, 6th of 8, 6l behind Fitz Flyer (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Dec.
Nickel Silver 9-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden 3l clear over 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec beating Colorus (8-4) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Equuleus Pictor 7-2fav (8-10) Led, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Fitz Flyer (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Dec.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 7-2fav (8-8) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, ns behind Fitz Flyer (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Dec.
Pawan (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, outpaced, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 5l behind Fitz Flyer (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Dec.
Colorus (IRE) 13-2 (8-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Fitz Flyer (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Dec.
