awkward leaving stalls and slowly away, behind, stayed on final 2f without troubling leaders
in touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders
always towards rear, never in contention
in touch, chased winner over 2f out, no impression on winner at final furlong, just held on for 2nd
made all, led, stayed on gamely final 2f, driven out
tracked winner to over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 2f out, no headway, weakened over 1f out
always in rear group, never a factor
steadied start, switched right to inside rail, held up last, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd 1f out, kept on near finish
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on steadily from over 1f out, never nearer
raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
A competitive affair in which narrow preference is for NOBLE CITIZEN ahead of Hallingdal, Vhujon and Portodora. David Simcock's progressive three-year-old comes here on the back of a win on the turf at Lingfield where he saw off the reliable yardstick of Arabian Spirit late on. A consistent colt, he has a 3lb rise in the weights to contend with but having acted on this track before, he looks sure to give it a bold go. Portodora is definitely the most interesting rival; she won despite her saddle slipping last time, and she is very interesting on her all-weather debut despite a 7lb higher mark. One negative may be that she flopped last time she stepped out of three-year-old races. Barnaby Rudge returns to the track after a couple of runs over in France and is an interesting horse to watch in the betting, Naughty Frida is a danger back on the all-weather but needs to bounce back from last time, whilst Hallingdal is progressive but has been allocated a poor draw. Jonny Lesters Hair looks progressive, whilst Vhujon is better over shorter. Recent winner Buxton is another for consideration; however it is Noble Citizen who receives our vote.
Vhujon (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Took keen hold in touch, not clear run over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept beating Peter's Storm (8-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Buxton 17-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, all out, just held on, won at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept beating H Harrison (8-10) by a nk, 15 ran.
Portodora (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Saddle slipped soon after start, with leader, led halfway, in command over 1f out, drew clear final furlong, won at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug beating Bere Davis (8-13) by 3l, 8 ran.
Hip 100-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 41l behind Nahoodh (8-10) at Newmarket 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) gs in Jul.
Woodcote Place 8-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, good headway o2f out, strong run inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind Ethaara (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcap (4) pol in Sept.
Noble Citizen (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept beating Arabian Spirit (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Barnaby Rudge (IRE) (9-0) Led to over 1f out, no extra when headed, 4th of 8, 4l behind Traphalgar (9-0) at Deauville Midi 7f 2yo stk c&g in Dec.
Naughty Frida (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 29l behind The Jostler (8-7) at Newmarket 7f fll hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Twilight Star (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Steadied start, settled well in rear, kept on final 2f, never troubled leaders, 6th of 7, 6l behind Rambling Light (8-13) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Hallingdal (UAE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, rapid headway on inside 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m hcap (5) pol in Sept beating Blow Hole (8-13) by 2l, 14 ran.
Mey Blossom 20-1 (8-11) Mid-division, effort halfway, no impression, 7th of 9, 12l behind Persian Sea (9-5) at Pontefract 6f fll hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Sept.
Jonny Lesters Hair (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, quickened to lead over 1f out, clear, ridden out final furlong, won at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Sept beating We're Delighted (8-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Titan Triumph 7-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, effort on inside over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Grand Vizier (9-2) at Kempton 1m app hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Compton's Eleven 16-1 (8-11) Raced centre, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 19, 2l behind Fantasy Explorer (9-3) at Newmarket 6f hcap (4) gf in Sept.
