chased leader disputing 2nd, ridden in 2nd 2f out, soon weakened, last 1f out, no impression
chased leader disputing 2nd, ridden and dropped to 4th 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, ridden and went moderate 2nd over 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, no extra
held up disputing 5th, took keen hold, ridden in last 2f out, moderate 3rd 1f out, no extra in 4th inside final furlong
made all, ridden and edged right 1 1/2f out, clear and continued to edge right 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
San Andreas won this easily a year ago though had already been in winning form on the track having scored three weeks earlier. But he didn't win in three starts on Turf in the summer so the race conditions are in his favour. Stable companion Fame And Acclaim has 5lb extra for completing a mid-summer hat-trick on Turf and has never raced here but Comfort Line was narrowly beaten in his only start here last March and ended the campaign in winning form on testing ground. LAUGH A MINUTE was beaten four lengths in this a year ago but the winner had a fitness advantage. Ado McGuiness' charge couldn't quite get to useful stablemate Harry's Bar over 6f here in November and his young rider's claim could give him the edge this time. The stable also run Godhead, three times a winner in five starts for John Gosden and a cracking addition to the yard, while Confide scored twice in four starts for David O'Meara and isn't out of this on his all-weather debut.
Fame And Acclaim (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up, rear of mid-division, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out, soon no extra, 10th of 12, 12l behind Saltonstall (9-9) at Naas 1m lst stks (1) hvy in Nov.
Comfort Line (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and joined 2f out, led again over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Gowran Park 7f hcp hvy in Oct beating Miss Myers (9-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Confide 7-2 (9-12) Held up in touch, headway to challenge over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, won at Newbury 1m hcp (4) sft in Aug beating Aweedram (10-0) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Godhead 28-1 (8-9) Keen tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon chased winner, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Motakhayyel (9-7) at Newmarket 7f (2) gd in Jul.
Laugh A Minute 15-8fav (9-7) Awkward leaving stalls, raced towards rear, 9th halfway, progress and no room behind horses over 1f out, ran on strongly final 100 yards, nearest at finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Harry's Bar (9-7) at Dundalk 6f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
San Andreas (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Pushed along early and soon tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and lost place 2f out, no extra, 15th of 16, 19 1/2l behind Nebo (9-11) at Cork 1m hcp gd in Jul.
