soon pressing leaders, led 3f out, driven over 1f out, held on well inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden on outside over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 4th towards finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, held inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
towards rear, not much room and switched left over 1f out, never dangerous
soon led, headed 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, switched right inside final furlong, ran on, went 3rd towards finish
awkward start, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led early, chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, well beaten over 1f out
No recent winning form on offer but Araifjan has been thereabouts recently having tumbled down the weights since winning here last autumn and he finished in front of Elegant Ellen and Macon Belle when runner-up at Wolverhampton. Blackjack has posted better efforts since returning to action but SENSE OF SECURITY showed a big improvement on her first outing after wind surgery when narrowly beaten at Kempton and George Baker’s filly may prove the one to side with.
Araifjan 3-1fav (8-13) Led 5f out, headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Shades Of Summer (9-8) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Blackjack 9-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, held inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Athollblair Boy (9-13) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Sense Of Security 22-1 (9-3) Went left hampered rival then bumped start, switched right and held up towards rear on inside, good headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong and closed, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Holbache (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Praise Of Shadows (IRE) 22-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, pushed along and chased new leader over2f out, ridden hung left and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Crocodile Power (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Real Estate (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) In touch, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Alafdhal (9-4) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Liberty Bay 28-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Aconcagua Mountain (8-10) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Elegant Ellen (FR) 8-1 (9-1) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Astrophysics (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Macon Belle 25-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden 2f out, kept on, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Astrophysics (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Tilsworth Taibo 150-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, made no impression, last of 8, 12 3/4l behind Beneficiary (9-7) at Southwell 5f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Our Louise (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 6, 23 3/4l behind Lincoln Pride (9-11) at Yarmouth 6f hcp (6) gf in Aug.