tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden to chase leaders 4f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and edged left approaching 3f out, stayed on
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, heavily eased
tracked leaders, led 4f out, soon clear, kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to chase clear winner well inside final furlong
soon led, headed 4f out, weakening when hampered over 3f out
always in the rear
always in the rear
towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch on outside, struggling from halfway
Irish raider Market Watcher came good over hurdles of late he is the most interesting contender in the finale; Ganymede and Sovereign Spirit are expected to give him the most to think about. Another to note is Caliban - a likely front runner that goes well on an artificial surface. However, while it is nice to see Caliban back on a racecourse, it will be some training feat from Ian Williams if the eight-year-old can turn back the clock after almost two years out of action. Sovereign Spirit has been lightly raced this year and comes here relatively fresh. However, this trip does stretch his stamina and he looks vulnerable under top weight. Ganymede is a tough battler that is sure to give his all. The handicapper has given him a chance on these terms and the son of Daylami should not be underestimated in his bid for a three-timer. Nevertheless, Market Watcher makes more appeal now that he has proved he stays two miles over hurdles. This is a comparable level with his Irish form and, considering that he was rated 82 during his time with Jim Bolger, the gelding looks thrown in for this off a mark of just 53.
Sovereign Spirit (IRE) 4-1fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Zaville (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Border Tale 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, soon lost place, 7th of 9, 11l behind Dayoff (8-10) at Ayr 1m 7f hcap (6) frm in Jul.
Garibaldi (GER) 25-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Osolomio (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Ganymede 7-2jt-fav (9-12) Held up, headway over 5f out, led inside final 3f, soon in command, won at Kempton 2m banded stk (7) pol beating Lysander's Quest (9-10) by 4l, 13 ran.
Market Watcher (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, 4th and ridden 4f out, moderate 3rd from 3f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Jawad (8-8) at Downpatrick 2m 2f hcp 0-60 gs in Aug.
Synonymy 4-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, faded, 6th of 10, 10l behind Malakiya (9-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Coppington Melody (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Grasp (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lanfredo 5-2fav (8-12) Keen, led 8f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 16l behind Bolckow (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn clm (7) fbs.
