held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, eased when well beaten final furlong
tracked leaders, closed to lead 3f out, hard ridden and headed over 1f out, not quickened final furlong
in touch, pushed along straight, weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, held up in rear, effort 3f out, never dangerous
held up in rear, shaken up and headway centre course over 2f out, never near leaders
took keen hold in mid-division, shaken up over 2f out, never reached challenging position
dwelt, held up in rear, headway into mid-division straight, weakened and behind in final 3f
led to over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, weakened 3f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, soon headed but weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, hard pressed and driven final furlong, headed last stride
tracked leaders, driven to challenge and edged left over 1f out, pressed leader final furlong, pushed into lead last stride
mid-division, stayed alone far side straight, in touch until weakened final 2f
Bendarshaan gets the vote in this competitive handicap with Sergeant Cecil and The Violin Player rated as the main dangers. The selection is a game and consistent type and he showed he is running right up to his best with a good effort last time when he was narrowly beaten behind Tartouche over today's course and distance. With conditions to suit he looks the one to beat. Sergeant Cecil is from a yard in good form but although he ran well over this trip last time out when third behind Fort at Ascot, he is probably better over further and for that reason we will take him on. The Violin Player again highlighted his progressive nature when beating Jack Dawson at Lingfield last time, but he is steadily rising in the weights and in this more competitive race he looks worth taking on. Turbo and Jeepstar are capable of going well at each-way prices and are others to consider, but for the winner we return to Bendarshaan.
Sergeant Cecil 11-2 Held up in rear, headway 2f out, squeezed through to chase leading pair 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Fort at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (B1) gf in Sept.
Midas Way 20-1 Held up in touch, ridden and lost place 6f out, beaten when hampered over 5f out, 23rd of 34, 30l behind Contact Dancer at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (B1) sft in Oct.
Magnesium (USA) One pace final 2f, 6th of 10, more than 4l behind Shakis at Chantilly 1m 2f stk gs in Sept.
Solo Flight 12-1 Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 5f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 19, 11l behind Flamboyant Lad at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Turbo (IRE) 25-1 Held up in rear, stayed on final 2f, not reach leaders, 7th of 20, 5l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
Millville 12-1 Never better than mid-division, 10th of 24, 22l behind Carte Diamond at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (B1) sft in Nov.
Gavroche (IRE) 20-1 Towards rear, some headway final 2f, ran on final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Land 'n Stars at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (C1) pol in Mar.
Jeepstar 12-1 Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Far Pavilions at Catterick 1m 6f hcp gd.
The Violin Player (USA) 3-1fav Keen, held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (D2) pol in Mar beating Jack Dawson by a hd, 13 ran.
Bendarshaan 10-1 Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied and every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Tartouche at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp gf.
Balkan Knight 4-1 Held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Bendarshaan at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (D) gd in Jul.
Tender Falcon 12-1 Prominent, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 24, 18l behind Carte Diamond at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (B1) sft in Nov.
Prime Powered (IRE) 66-1 Raced keenly, in touch on outside, ridden and no impression final 2f, 11th of 20, 9l behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
