tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon driven and well behind
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven, one pace final furlong
mid-division, driven and one pace final 2f
mid-division, headway 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra close home
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
outpaced, never trouble leaders
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, eased when beaten final 2f
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon driven, no extra
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
made all, ridden 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong
The handicapper may have scuppered The Grey One's winning run and we will turn to CAPTAIN ROYALE ahead of Having A Ball. Having made a total of over 100,000 guineas earlier in his career but picked up for less than 750 guineas at the October sales, it may be that he is out of love with the game. But his recent second reads well and for a horse only beaten by eight lengths in the Phoenix Stakes in 2007 he looks worth chancing. Josr's Magic is a multiple all-weather winner and three of his four wins have been this year so he is not one to take lightly, while Having A Ball and West End Lad have both shown an affinity for this surface. Zach's Harmoney returns from an absence and needs watching in the betting along with handicap debutant World Of Choice. His stablemate Provost won well at Ayr last time on desperate ground and the market will help guide to his chance on his all-weather debut. The returning Ridgeway Jazz needs respect on his return to the track.
Prize Fighter (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 14l behind Prairie Storm (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Nov.
Zach's Harmoney (USA) 8-1 (10-2) Led over 1f, weakened 3f out, last of 11, 34l behind Barathea Dreams (10-0) at Chepstow 1m ldy rds hcp (5) sft in Aug.
West End Lad 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, driven and kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Smarty Socks (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Having A Ball 9-4fav (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway and edged left over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven out, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov beating Boss Hog (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
The Grey One (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway on outside 1f out, kept on nearest finish, 5th of 13, 5l behind Salerosa (11-2) at Southwell 1m amt hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
Provost 3-1fav (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, hard ridden under pressure inside final furlong all out, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Oct beating Distant Pleasure (9-4) by a shd, 10 ran.
Josr's Magic (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Held up 5th, headway over 1f out, effort entering final furlong, kept on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
World of Choice (USA) 28-1 (9-5) Started slowly, always behind, 13th of 14, 14l behind Another Genepi (8-9) at Southwell 7f clm (6) fbs in Nov.
Captain Royale (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f, led over 1f, edged left when headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Barkass (9-6) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Daggerman 66-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Taqdeyr (9-3) at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn (5) fbs in Nov.
So Sublime 66-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 8th of 13, 15l behind Mozayada (8-6) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Soviet Trooper (IRE) 16-1 (7-11) Never a factor, 19th of 21, 47l behind Gunga Din (9-12) at Curragh 7f hcp 0-75 hvy in Oct.
Ridgeway Jazz 9-2 (8-5) Held up, raced keenly, headway over 1f out, not much room entering final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Duneen Dream (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Rub of The Relic (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Held up behind, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 11l behind Dream of Olwyn (9-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
