held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on, never near leaders
chased winner over 8f out, until over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra near finish
chased leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up, ridden 5f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in last place, wide ridden and headway from over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to take 2nd near finish
led over 8f out, clear when idled over 1f out, looked in danger, soon driven and edged right inside final furlong, responded well to riders urging towards finish
went right start, soon tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, headed over 8f out, remained close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
STATE GENERAL may be able to give weight away all round but there are some interesting rivals lurking further down the weights which include the likes of Canmoss, Play To Win and Hawkspring. The selection performed averagely in turf maidens but looked much more at home over this course and distance when running the useful Orbitor to half a length. He produced another decent run when second at Kempton despite being dropped back to a mile and can benefit from stepping back up in trip. Hold The Bucks lines up in search of a hat-trick following wins in a seller and a handicap at Lingfield and Wolverhampton and hasn't been harshly dealt with so merits respect now that he's got the winning habit. Canmoss shaped better than his finishing position suggests at Wolverhampton and would be of interest if the money arrives; a comment which also applies to Play To Win and Hawkspring. The latter's trainer has landed a few touches in recent weeks and he remains capable of better whilst Play To Win could benefit from the step up in trip and switch to this track. A competitive finale in which we'll nominate State General for top honours.
State General (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, driven along over 2f out, headway on outside under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Holberg (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Night Lily (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden over 2f out, good headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong and gaining close home, 2nd of 11, hd behind Noble Dictator (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Hold The Bucks (USA) 7-2fav (9-6) In touch, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol beating Captain Cavendish (9-2) by 1l, 11 ran.
Celtic Commitment 10-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, driven along over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 6l behind Herschel (9-4) at Kempton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Shaker Style (USA) 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden and effort 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, held when carried right inside final furlong, one pace and lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 11, 2l behind Hold The Bucks (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol.
Nicky Nutjob (GER) 14-1 (8-13) Settled in last in touch, ridden 3f out, lost place, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous final 2f, 5th of 6, 12l behind Thin Red Line (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Canmoss (USA) 15-2 (9-7) Mid-division, lost place on inside after 1f, behind, ridden over 2f out, no headway and never dangerous from over 1f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Dream Huntress (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol.
Play To Win (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Ran in snatches in mid-division, one pace and no impression final 2f, 5th of 13, 8l behind Herschel (9-4) at Kempton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Innactualfact 66-1 (8-0) Always in rear, last of 10, 18l behind Holberg (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Transfered (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Always rear division, 8th of 14, 18l behind Thewaytosanjose (8-3) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp (6) fbs.
Hawkspring (IRE) 5-1co-fav (9-3) Bumped start, held up mid-division, headway on inner 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong but no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Dream Huntress (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp (6) pol.
