steadied start, held up in mid-division, good headway on inside travelling well over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, every chance when edged right inside final furlong, just held
held up towards rear, good headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong unable to reach leaders
soon crossed over from wide gate to lead, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on gamely
in touch, effort on inside over 2f out, driven over 1f out, went 3rd and kept on well in closing stages, not quite going pace to challenge
in touch on outside, hung right over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
steaded and switched right start, held up in rear, moderate headway inside final furlong, never involved
towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
took keen hold chasing leading pair, pushed along and went 2nd 2f out until over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong, dropped to 4th final strides
steadied start, held up towards rear, ridden well over 1f out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway between horses over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders and lost places final 100 yards
pushed along halfway, raced wide and always towards rear
took keen hold and held up towards rear, headway and edged right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten
chased winner until 2f out, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders on outside, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
It's difficult to find one without a chance in this but the vote goes to GEORGE ROOKE. Kevin Ryan's charge, who won his final two starts of last year, has been running well without quite managing to get there and though unraced on the surface there's no reason why he shouldn't act and Jamie Spencer is a positive booking. Tasrih looks a progressive type who followed his Lingfield victory with a very good run behind Dixie's Dream over the track and trip and Alan McCabe's lightly-raced charge has to be on the short-list along with Light From Mars, who returns to Ron Harris and is attempting his 11th career victory. The Monmouth handler is also represented by top weight Corporal Maddox, who finished very strongly behind Upavon in a better race last time and should get competitive. Jubilee Brig is another to consider in a wide-open affair.
Corporal Maddox 7-1 (9-4) Switched right after start, held up towards rear, not clear run inside 2f out, headway and weaved through from over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Upavon (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Nassau Storm 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 2l behind Chookie Royale (9-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Tasrih (USA) 3-1fav (9-1) Soon prominent, led after 1f, ridden well over 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dixie's Dream (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Secret Beau 7-1 (9-6) Hampered start towards rear, ran on final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 13, 5l behind Apollo D'Negro (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
George Rooke (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway entering final 2f, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 3l behind Soaring Spirits (9-0) at Doncaster 7f (4) sft in Oct.
Good Authority (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Went left start, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 12l behind Upavon (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Jubilee Brig 4-1fav (9-5) In rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Fantasy Gladiator (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-77 (4) pol in Nov.
Light From Mars 7-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on well, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Fortinbrass (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Liberty Jack (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Steadied start, keen held up in rear, headway entering final 2f, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Breccbennach (8-10) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sep.
My Kingdom (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, lost place 3f out, keeping on when not clear run inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 6l behind Piceno (8-2) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Red Art (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Led, driven and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 9l behind Fantasy Gladiator (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-77 (4) pol in Nov.
Panther Patrol (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Dominium (8-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Bowstar 11-2 (8-7) Not much room start, held up in rear, headway from 2f out, keeping on same pace when hampered and snatched up inside final furlong, well held after, 9th of 11, 4l behind Upavon (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Perfect Mission 10-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 12, 7l behind The Great Gabrial (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
