always behind
held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
held up and keen, effort 4f out, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest at finish
made all, quickened over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, clear well over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, outpaced well over 3f out, kept on final 2f
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
chased winner until ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, effort over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
There are plenty that can be given chances here, including Distant Prospect, Mana d'Argent, High Point, Carlys Quest and Bollin Thomas, but we will side with Race The Ace. The selection looked a staying handicapper to follow when scoring at Newmarket in October and a nine-pounds rise for that effort may well have underestimated him. If he is sharp enough at the first time of asking this time around, he should go well. Mana d'Argent has only won at Ascot but he showed enough at Musselburgh last time to suggest that he should go well today and he is on a winning mark, while the 2001 Cesarewitch winner - and runner-up in last season's November handicap at this track - Distant Prospect capable of going well, and in doing so can put behind him a disappointing Cheltenham effort last time when well backed. Conversely, Carlys Quest comes here on the back of a cracking good County Hurdle effort and, clearly in good heart, has to be considered, particularly with Kieren Fallon booked. Dr Sharp, who goes on the soft and is just four pounds above a winning mark, can also be given a chance, as can High Point, even though he is seven pounds above a previous best winning mark. Finally, Bollin Thomas, who is just two pounds above a winning rating and who will be fit from jumping, could go well if at his best. Overall, though, we will side with Race The Ace.
Distant Prospect (IRE) 20-1 Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 24, 2 1/2l behind Carte Diamond at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (B1) sft in Nov.
Mana d'Argent (IRE) 25-1 Held up, took closer order halfway, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Swift Sailor at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp gs in Mar.
Race The Ace 3-1fav Tracked leaders, always travelling well, led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 2m hcp (D2) sft in Oct beating Laggan Bay by 7l, 11 ran.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 14-1 Led, quickened over 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on until headed well inside final furlong, no exrta close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Sendintank at Doncaster 2m hcp (C1) sft in Nov.
High Point (IRE) 14-1 Held up in last place, kept on on outer final 2f, never placed to challenge, 8th of 13, 3l behind The Violin Player at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (D2) pol in Mar.
Carlys Quest 50-1 Always behind, tailed off 3f out, 27th of 29, well behind Double Obsession at Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (C) gf in Jun.
Bollin Thomas 14-1 Held up, ridden over 5f out, weakened 4f out, last of 7, well behind Regal Setting at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (C1) hvy in Sept.
Kristensen 13-2 Raced wide, in rear, outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Dower House at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (D2) fbs in Mar.
Almizan (IRE) 10-1 Mid-division, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 5th of 11, 14l behind Sendintank at Musselburgh 2m hcp (D2) gs in Nov.
Master Wells (IRE) 25-1 Always behind, last of 7, 30l behind Sendintank at Doncaster 2m hcp (C1) sft in Nov.
