prominent, led over 4f out, pushed along and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon close up, led over 2f out, headed and stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, well beaten final 3f
blindfold off slightly late and slowly away, behind, headway on outside 5f out, ridden and lost place over 3f out, well beaten over 2f out
held up in rear, headway on outside 5f out, pushed along and slightly wide over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led 1f, prominent, led again inside final furlong, pricked ears in front, pushed out
mid-division, headway 5f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
took keen hold, prominent, led after 1f, headed over 4f out, lost place over 3f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, last and struggling 5f out
This is an interesting opener, despite being confined to apprentice jockeys. Elysian Prince steps up a grade after back-to-back wins in claimers here and at Chantilly but a hat-trick isn't out of the question. Recent Southwell winner Starfield has scored here on Polytrack while Lean On Pete is also versatile as to surface. Evacusafe Lady rattled up a hat-trick here in the autumn but has been in the handicapper's grip lately. PERSONA GRATA made a winning debut over a shorter trip here in October and is certain to relish this extra furlong. Given his undoubted scope for further improvement, he has to be the selection.
Starfield 7-2 (9-2) Prominent, clear with leader halfway, led over 2f out, ridden and soon edged left, clear over 1f out, idled towards finish, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov beating Putin (8-7) by 1l, 12 ran.
Elysian Prince (9-8) won at Chantilly(FR) 1m 1f 3yo clm stks in Nov beating Like Me (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Refreshestheparts (USA) 33-1 (9-5) Midfield, lost place over 2f out, 12th of 14, 20l behind Gaelic Silver (9-1) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Well Painted (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden and struggling final 4f, 12th of 13, well behind Persepolis (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Oratorio's Joy (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Towards rear, outpaced 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 5l behind Grasped (9-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol in Jul.
Lean On Pete (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 6l behind Gambino (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) in Nov.
Persona Grata 10-1 (8-11) In rear, wide into straight 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, led near finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (5) in Oct beating Kicking The Can (9-2) by nk, 12 ran.
Evacusafe Lady 25-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 2l behind Archie's Advice (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Haymarket 16-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 15l behind Solid Justice (10-1) at Redcar 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Tete Orange 6-1 (8-11) Close up, ridden and hung left from over 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 10l behind Gratzie (9-3) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
