slightly hampered start and behind, headway on outside 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on well
held up towards rear, headway 5f out to be in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 2f out, not much room 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, kept on, never dangerous
steadied start and behind, headway on outside 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
behind, ridden over 3f out, never in contention
prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, not much room over 1f out, soon weakened
led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home
Gentleman's Deal is the pick here ahead of Byron Bay, Shankly Bond and Crail to name but three. There is improvement to come from Gentleman's Deal, the five-year-old having made a winning start for new connections over the course-and distance 12 days ago. The former Ed Dunlop inmate took time to get going before overhauling Waterside and pulling right away. The handicapper will no doubt get to him but he has to be supported to follow up here. Byron Bay hit winning form 17 days ago when opening his all-weather account at Southwell, but may find this faster surface against him, while Shankly Bond was well prepared to score here last month, having been off since the summer. This is a step up in grade and he might just struggle, while Crail is a good few pounds higher in the weights than when scoring over the course and distance 12 months ago. Paul Webber's stable is returning to form so any support for Gingko would be interesting, but for the winner we return to Gentleman's Deal.
Gentleman's Deal (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs beating Waterside (8-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Atlantic Quest (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 5l behind Wahoo Sam (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Arry Dash 20-1 (8-10) Behind, keeping on when not clear run inside final furlong, never dangerous, 9th of 17, 7l behind Hinterland (8-13) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gs in Sept.
Crail 9-4jt-fav (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Boo (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Desert Leader (IRE) 7-1 (7-11) Tracked leader, ridden well over 2f out, weakened and soon one pace, 6th of 8, 9l behind Boo (7-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Byron Bay 6-1 (9-1) In touch, led entering final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec beating Blue Patrick (9-2) by a nk, 14 ran.
Libre 16-1 (9-3) In touch, stumbled approaching 2f out, no chance after, 10th of 14, 5l behind Sir Haydn (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Shankly Bond (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left, led 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Dragon Slayer (8-13) by 2l, 12 ran.
