slowly into stride, held up in rear, raced keenly, well beaten over 2f out
led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, pushed along over 6f out, headway under pressure 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
prominent, challenged over 2f out until inside final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leader, led over 3f out, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, headway over 2f out, not much room entering straight, soon edged left, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
Nonrunner
A tough race to call and we will side with DESERT HAWK to get the better of Blockley and Sir Liam. Mark Brisbourne's 7-year-old does have winning form here and he is back on a fair mark. He ran his best for a while last time out when he looked like his turn would not be far away and it could pay to take the hint. Blockley is the interesting alternative as he won well last time and he still appears to be on a fair mark. However, he has had his fair share of problems and it remains to be seen if they are fully behind him. Sir Liam has been knocking on the door of late and he remains on a fair mark, but his strike-rate of one win from 24 starts does rather temper confidence. Sagunt disappointed last time but prior to that he had landed a gamble and his trainer is very shrewd. A market check is advised, but it could pay to take a chance on Desert Hawk who is put forward as our pick.
Sagunt (GER) 6-1 (8-10) Raced wide, in touch with main group, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 9l behind Zalkani (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Sir Liam (USA) 4-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Sky Quest (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Blockley (USA) 13-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, driven along 2f out, closed to lead over 1f out, driven clear, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Colonel Sherman (8-10) by 3l, 12 ran.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) In touch, not much room 2f out, no headway after, 4th of 13, 6l behind Plush (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Dansilver 25-1 (9-7) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 13, 14l behind Flying Grey (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Aug.
Ready To Crown (USA) 9-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 8l behind Kingsholm (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Bernabeu (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Soon led, ridden and headed under 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 12l behind Thiazi (9-7) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 0-60 pol in Oct.
Compton Falcon 8-1 (9-1) Steadied start, settled in last, headway from 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 6l behind Sky Quest (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Daggerman 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, eased when beaten final 2f, 13th of 14, 35l behind Rub of The Relic (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Desert Hawk 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Little Richard (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Fenners (USA) 7-2fav (9-1) Close up, under pressure over 4f out, beaten over 2f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Blockley (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Corrib (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, always in rear, eased inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 14l behind Prairie Hawk (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
