soon chasing leaders near side of group, weakened 2f out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ran on in 3rd inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
chased leaders early, pushed along in mid-division halfway, headway and kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
soon off the pace in last pair, never on terms
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and strongly pressed from 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
never closer than mid-division
raced keenly, soon chasing leaders far side of group, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
outpaced
slowly into stride, outpaced in last pair, headway chasing leaders and every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
went left start, prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
THE KING’S STEED returned to winning ways in soft ground at Salisbury last time with Divine Queen back in fourth. Shaun Lycett’s charge should be thereabouts once again raised only 3lb. Wild Flower landed a double over the minimum trip on faster going last month but Holdenhurst is preferred having missed out by only a head at Chepstow the last time he encountered soft going. Leo Davinci and Storm Melody slide further down the weights.
Storm Melody 12-1 (9-5) Prominent, pushed along 2f out, ridden for effort 1f out, no extra final 100yds, 7th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Able Kane (9-8) at Bath 6f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Leo Davinci (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, not much room on inside over 5f out, in touch 4f out, closed 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Lorna Cole (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
The King's Steed 22-1 (9-3) Prominent, led 2f out, ridden out, gamely, won at Salisbury 7f hcp (6) sft in Oct beating Sovereign Beauty (9-2) by nk, 14 ran.
Bonus 10-1 (9-1) Never travelled and always in rear, 11th of 14, 14l behind Bezzas Lad (9-0) at Nottingham 6f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Holdenhurst 33-1 (8-10) Raced alone towards stand side, prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 11l behind Able Kane (9-9) at Leicester 6f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Wild Flower (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Reared leaving stalls, always towards rear, 13th of 15, 8 3/4l behind Zulu Zander (10-0) at Bath 5f hcp (6) fm in Sep.
Firenze Rosa (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Lordsbridge Boy (9-7) at Salisbury 5f hcp (6) gd in Sep.
Divine Queen 18-1 (8-9) In touch, headway 2f out, soon every chance, ridden and unable to quicken towards finish, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind The King's Steed (9-3) at Salisbury 7f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Keep Believing (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) In touch, 5th 4f out, under pressure over 2f out, ridden and weakened 1 1/2f out, 11th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Everyhouronthehour (9-9) at Gowran Park 1m hcp gd in Sep.
Santorini Sal 100-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on past beaten horses final furlong, 10th of 15, 7 1/2l behind Zulu Zander (10-0) at Bath 5f hcp (6) fm in Sep.
Rhubarb 150-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Captain Claret (9-5) at Bath 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Treble Clef 33-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Raha (9-5) at Salisbury 7f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
