mid-division, effort and headway 2f out on inside, one pace final furlong
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, headway 4f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 1f out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, soon held
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on to chase winner final furlong, no impression
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, effort 2f out, stayed on
behind final 3f
chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden out
This could be a match between the two recent winners Val De Maal and Kahlua Bear, and we will plump for the former, with Mulberry Lad also rating a danger. The selection has gone up just 3lb for his narrow win 11 days ago and that could be all important, especially as the form has since been franked. Kahlua Bear has a 6lb penalty to contend with today, and whilst his win last time out was more emphatic than the selection's, the extra weight may just be too much of a burden. However as an in-form horse, he must have solid claims. Mulberry Lad is another course and distance winner, and as he is the model of consistency he must have strong claims of some place money today. Although he drops 2lbs today, he is still 8lbs above his highest winning mark so he doesn't look a realistic threat to the main protagonists. Grand Palace could go well at a price, especially considering his good draw, however we will return to Val De Maal as our tentative idea of the winner.
Kahlua Bear 4-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden 3f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Et Dona Ferentes (8-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
Val de Maal (IRE) 22-1 (8-12) Prominent, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs beating Lucius Verrus (8-6) by a nk, 10 ran.
Pikaboo 4-1 (8-12) Keen, with leader to halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Ragad (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
Todlea (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Prominent, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 8l behind Panic Stations (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Stylistic (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression when slightly hampered inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 5l behind Discotheque (8-10) at W'hampton 7f fll hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Viewforth 12-1 (8-8) Soon outpaced, always behind, 11th of 13, 13l behind Gifted Lass (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Mulberry Lad (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and not quicken 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind George The Second (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Midmaar (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Held up in mid-division, unable to quicken 2f out, kept on inside final furlong but no chance, 8th of 12, 3l behind Burhaan (8-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Apex 8-1 (8-6) Chased leader stand side, no extra over 1f out, 8th of 17, 7l behind Word Perfect (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sept.
Blue Knight (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway and ridden over 3f out, kept on, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Tyrone Sam (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Layed Back Rocky 11-1 (9-3) In lead over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 10, 5l behind Networker (9-3) at W'hampton 7f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Dec.
Grand Palace (IRE) 9-4 (8-10) Mid-division, headway to lead briefly well over 1f out, soon no extra, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Time To Regret (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
