held up behind mid-division, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to close on leaders near finish
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, never dangerous
towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
always towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon struggling
led 2f, stayed tracking leader, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken, kept on one pace
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led approaching 2f out, kept on gamely when pressed inside final furlong, all out, just held on
went left start, soon in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on near finish
towards rear, plenty to do well over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, just failed
led after 2f, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened quickly over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
started slowly, always in rear, never a factor
Nonrunner
The weights for this moderate handicap are headed by Marmooq and Wooden King, who both have penalties to carry for their last time out successes, and they may struggle to concede weight to the selection THABAAT. Milton Bradley's gelding was not disgraced when a close up fifth at Lingfield last time and on that evidence and on form of previous runs at Wolverhampton and here at Kempton, he looks worth chancing to resume winning ways for his now in-form yard. Sarah's Art ran better at Wolverhampton last time but is not certain to appreciate the step up to seven furlongs, while Mind Alert is another that is seemingly better over the sprint trip of six furlongs. Paul Howling's Guildenstern has run well in his last two starts at Southwell but should not be inconvenienced by the return to the Polytrack and he makes more appeal than Mr Chocolate Drop, who has more to do off a 5lb higher mark than when winning at Wolverhampton last time. Several of these have claims in a moderate but competitive contest but it is Thabaat that gets the vote.
Marmooq 14-1 (8-9) Raced wide in touch, improved 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec beating Shaded Edge (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Thabaat 10-3 (9-0) Raced wide, held up, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 5l behind Upstairs (8-13) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Palais Polaire 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind Mozayada (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Mind Alert 9-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2l behind What Katie Did (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Guildenstern (IRE) 9-2co-fav (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Run Free (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Copper King 12-1 (8-4) Raced keenly, pressed leader, ridden and every chance 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 6l behind Tuxedo (8-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Mr Skipiton (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon held, 8th of 11, 11l behind Azure Mist (8-12) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec.
Street Power (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Went left start, pulled hard in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, soon one pace, 9th of 15, 12l behind Tactful (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Sarah's Art (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong to take 2nd close home, not troubled winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Mister Thatcher (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway and switched left just over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Alf Tupper (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Sharps Gold 50-1 (8-8) Close up, ridden and losing place when hampered 2f out, weakened after, 11th of 12, 11l behind Risque Heights (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Shaded Edge 9-2 (8-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Marmooq (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Farsighted 66-1 (8-12) Keen hold, in touch, lost place well over 2f out, last of 16, 42l behind Lilburn (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug.
Wooden King (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders on inner, pushed along halfway, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Lingfield 7f hcap (6) pol in Dec beating Kabis Amigos (8-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
