chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
led until 4th, ridden after next, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, driven along after 5th, weakened after 3 out
chased leader, led after 4th, mistake 3 out, headed approaching next, rallied gainly under pressure, led again final 40 yards
held up, headway 3 out, tracked leaders next, soon ridden, kept on same pace
held up, headway after 6th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no extra when headed final 40 yards
held up in touch, headway after 6th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
Shingle Street and Dishdasha both come here in hot form and can fight out the finish, the last named is just prefered, Love Angel may do best of the others. The selection defied the handicapper when comfortably scoring at Kempton a few days ago. He made smooth headway over three furlongs out and was never extended to win by two and a half lengths. In this mood he should be capable of landing the hat-trick. Shingle Street is also going from strength to strength and easily saw off a modest field at Stratford last month. There could be plenty more to come and he should be in the shake up again. Love Angel chased home the well treated Armariver in a good race at Ascot last time and has to be included in the shortlist. Hail The King could be in the handicappers grip now but still looks the pick of the remainder, however Dishdasha won with plenty in hand last time and can strike again this afternoon.
Hail The King (USA) 3-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, last of 6, 20l behind Mikado Melody (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Shingle Street (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Chased leader, driven along from 5th, led after 3 out, ridden out, won at Stratford 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Oct beating Gold Guest (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Stars Delight (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Held up, ridden and outpaced from 3 out, stayed on from next, no impression, 6th of 13, 9l behind Talarive (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Apr.
Love Angel (USA) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed next, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Armariver (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Oct.
Shirazi 18-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Gaelic Roulette (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 13 ran.
Dishdasha (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Not fluent 1st, held up behind leaders, led on inside 2 out, in command between last 2, pushed out flat, won at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Krismas Cracker (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Krasivi's Boy (USA) 14-1 (11-10) Raced wide in mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on steadily from next, 6th of 14, 4l behind Swift Sailor (11-8) at Plumpton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
