held up on last pair, not much room over 2f out, no impression
soon led, ridden 2f out, hard pressed towards finish, joined on line
tracked leaders, ridden and edged right 2f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with front pair
slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with front pair
held up in rear, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, shaken up 4f out, driven 2f out, stayed on, challenged towards finish, joined leader on line
Noble Behest does just enough to win and landed a four-timer with his most recent success over 2m at Lingfield. He beat Lost The Moon a neck on that occasion with Ayr Of Elegance further behind and should make another bold bid but VETTORI RULES is just preferred. The latter failed to win last year but has dropped 12lb down the weights as a consequence and a recent third over today’s trip at Kempton suggests his turn is near. Start Seven went close over 2m at Wolverhampton in between modest efforts over shorter trips and makes more appeal than Argante of the remaining pair.
Start Seven 12-1 (10-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Snowy Winter (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Vettori Rules 33-1 (9-13) Tracked leader, led 10f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Sunblazer (10-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Ayr Of Elegance 6-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway on outer to track leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 3l behind Noble Behest (9-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Argante (FR) 5-1 (11-7) In rear, ridden and struggling from 6th, behind passing omitted 3 out, pulled up 2 out, at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Lost The Moon 4-1 (9-10) Close up, chased leader over 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Noble Behest (9-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Noble Behest 2-1fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, switched right over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Lost The Moon (9-10) by nk, 7 ran.