tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
awkward start, chased leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, never on terms
dwelt outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never on terms
in touch, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, strongly challenged over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, soon rallied and every chance, no extra towards finish
dwelt, held up in rear, headway on outside halfway, weakened over 1f out
Saaheq has been thereabouts without being quite good enough since landing a double on the Turf in September and CHOICE ENCOUNTER is preferred. The latter is back on a winning mark and should be sharper today after finishing second over today’s trip at Newcastle. Archie Watson’s charge is preferred to stablemate Dotted Swiss and finished in front of Bowson Fred at Newcastle. First-time blinkers are applied to Equimou, who is not badly treated on his best winning form, while Excellent George went close over track and trip in between modest efforts over 6f.
Ornate 100-1 (9-3) With leader until ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Donjuan Triumphant (9-3) at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) sft in Nov.
Excellent George 20-1 (9-1) In touch, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, never on terms, 7th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Eljaddaaf (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Equimou 9-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Captain Lars (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Bowson Fred 8-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Outrage (9-3) at Newcastle 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Saaheq 15-8fav (9-6) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Arzaak (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Machree (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Steadied and switched right start, held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Wrenthorpe (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Choice Encounter 14-1 (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Outrage (9-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Dotted Swiss (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, soon close up, driven over 1f out, no extra inside final 100 yards, 6th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Walk On Walter (9-8) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Acclaim The Nation (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) With leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Machree (8-8) at Ripon 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Exceedingly Diva 40-1 (9-1) Raced keenly, held up in rear, driven over 2f out, never involved, 8th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Exchequer (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.