slowly away towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden out
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to press winner approaching final furlong, not quicken inside final furlong
set strong pace, 3 lengths clear 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly away outpaced, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, hung left and ran on final furlong, just failed
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never on terms
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
This is a very competitive handicap but proven ability to handle the surface will be an asset. GAMBON won over 6f here on good to soft last year and needed his reappearance at Kempton, though ran better than expected. This should be his trip this year and his stable is going well. Marshal Dan probably came up against an improver at Kempton at the start of the month and will be fancied to go one better. Kitcarina is interesting having a first run for Clive Cox as she’s been very lightly raced and her former handler Andrew Balding runs Oloroso, though he’s 0-11 on Turf. Forseti, Absolutio and Hawridge Storm can’t be ignored but Lucky Louie prefers fast ground.
Hawridge Storm (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Outpaced and always in rear, 12th of 16, 13 1/2l behind George Of Hearts (9-4) at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Marshal Dan (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Led early, prominent, chased winner from 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Hieronymus (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Gambon (GER) 25-1 (9-6) Slow to break, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Tintoretto (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Absolutio (FR) 10-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 1f out, ran on gamely until headed towards finish, joined for 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 1/4l behind Jabalaly (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Lucky Louie 9-2 (9-7) In touch in rear, ridden and headway inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Mythical Madness (9-9) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Kitcarina (FR) 4-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Crystal Casque (9-4) at Sandown 7f hcp fll (4) gd in Sep.
Oloroso (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, switched right and headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong but lacked pace of front pair, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Gossiping (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Forseti 16-1 (9-3) In touch in rear, ridden and weakened final furlong, last of 6, 8 1/4l behind Mythical Madness (9-9) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Mr Top Hat 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Lalania (9-3) at Yarmouth 7f hcp (5) fm in Jun.
