tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, always held
held up in touch, driven and effort over 1f out, stayed on well, never troubled leaders
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 7f out, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
steadied start, held up in rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, every chance and edged left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
restrained in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon rallied, no extra close home
CAN CAN STAR can continue a good run of form and is the form pick to land the opener while Tropical Tradition can run well off bottom weight and course and distance winner Sky Quest is an obvious danger. The selection is after a hat-trick and on his last race easier than the margin suggests. He gave the impression there is more to come despite his rise in rating and while it is slightly concerning he has no experience at the track the trip is spot on for him. David Arbuthnot's Tropical Tradition was a course and distance winner on his penultimate start and followed that up with a solid effort at Lingfield in a similar standard of race and will have a weight advantage all round tough his mark looks high enough. Like the one we've just mentioned Sky Quest is a course and distance winner but that came on his last effort off a fair mark and with the subsequent increase in his burden means he looks less likely to follow up. Will He Wish has returned to some form but has a lot to do under top weight while Ryedale Ovation might represent some value but to Can Can Star should prove too good.
Will He Wish 25-1 (9-5) Close up, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on steadily to lead near finish, caught post, 2nd of 11, shd behind Man of Gwent (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Can Can Star 7-2 (9-10) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, chased leader on inner over 1f out, pushed along and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Siena Star (9-7) by a hd, 9 ran.
Mr Napoleon (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Vine Street (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Ryedale Ovation (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Never dangerous, 5th of 11, 8l behind Hyde Lea Flyer (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Sky Quest (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) In touch, quickened to lead over 1f out, soon clear, wandered inside final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Sir Liam (9-1) by 4l, 14 ran.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Started slowly, held up last, some late headway from over 1f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 6th of 11, 2l behind Man of Gwent (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Tropical Tradition (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Towards rear but in touch, ridden to go 3rd over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Antillia (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Dec.
