Plenty with chances here though recent Kempton winner Shalambar faces a tougher task and O Ma Lad also has something to prove in this grade. Carinya ended last season in flying form with a couple of wins over 1m2f and Kieren Fallon has been booked for her reappearance while Lucy Barry takes away a chunk of the 6lb rise the progressive Covert Decree incurred for her victory at Goodwood in September. KNIGHTLY ESCAPADE won at the same track when stepped up to today's trip in October and, given he has plenty of scope for further improvement over middle-distances, John Dunlop's charge gets the nod on his comeback.
Covert Decree 13-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, led over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, hard pressed towards finish, held on, won at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sep beating Franciscan (9-4) by nk, 11 ran.
Sherman McCoy 33-1 (9-5) Led, ridden 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Storm Hawk (8-13) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Mar.
First Avenue 20-1 (8-8) Behind, headway over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 16l behind Thimaar (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Dubai Glory 25-1 (9-1) Raced wide mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 14, 26l behind Yasir (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Carinya (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) In rear, headway over 3f out, chased leading pair over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead final strides, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Nov beating Carragold (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Knightly Escapade 14-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden to challenge when edged right 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct beating Reem Star (9-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
O Ma Lad (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Steadied start always in rear, outpaced over 4f out, last of 6, 16l behind Viking Storm (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Shalambar (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Led after 1f, made rest, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar beating Honourable Knight (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
