mid-division, not clear run and hampered over 2f out, not much room when weakening over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, edged right from over 1f out, closed over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
led, ridden over 3f out, headed 1f out, no extra towards finish
towards rear, pushed along 4f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 3f out, hung right well over 1f out, not much room and switched left inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
always prominent, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, lost place over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, well beaten over 1f out
Nibani just failed to follow-up an earlier win over today's distance when beaten a head over a mile at Lingfield on Saturday and looks to have solid claims. So does Megalala, who disappointed over a longer trip here last time having won with a bit to spare over C&D before that. Dazzling Valentine and Focail Maith are not out of this either, but in an open contest a chance is taken on ROCKY ELSOM. Placed in a couple of maidens for John Oxx in Ireland in 2010, he returned to action with a third at Lingfield last month on his debut for new connections and much better is expected with that outing under his belt.
Rocky Elsom (USA) 10-3 (9-4) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Change The Subject (8-12) at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Nibani (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, shaken up, ran on, nearest finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Marajaa (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Megalala (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Soon led, pushed along 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 11l behind All The Winds (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Dazzling Valentine 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, reminders over 4f out, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, stayed on near finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Aerodynamic (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Lisahane Bog 10-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Emerald Wilderness (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Focail Maith 11-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Thunderstruck (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Cheylesmore (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 1f out, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Perfect Cracker (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Sergeant Troy (IRE) 5-1fav (9-6) Held up in rear in main group, headway far side over 2f out, kept on under pressure to dispute 2nd that group inside final furlong until close home, 4th of 15, 6l behind Poyle Judy (9-3) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Bengal Tiger 40-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 12, 21l behind Sakhee's Pearl (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.