took keen hold, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside last, never able to challenge
towards rear, headway on outside to chase leaders halfway, weakened over 3f out
in touch until lost place 5f out, driven along 3f out, no danger after
always prominent, challenged 3f out, led over 2f out, hung left under pressure over 1f out, headed final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, driven and headway on inside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
towards rear, headway on outside 7f out, chased leaders 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong but never able to challenge
led at steady pace, quickened 5f out, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
close up, headway over 3f out, went 3rd 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
always prominent, challenged on inside 2f out, ridden to lead as leader drifted left final furlong, stayed on well
reared leaving stalls, held up in rear, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, no impression soon after
Eagle Nebula will be well-weighted if improving for this step up in trip but his course record is a little off putting and although Colourful Move looks dangerous in the handicap on the pick of his best form we're instead going to choose BLOCKLEY to land this after a good run in defeat in a better contest last time. Still yet to win over this far the pick hinted he might by staying on to land a place in a good race for the grade at Goodwood on his latest appearance. He beat a subsequent winner that day which gives the form a nice look and off the same mark he can run a big race. Eagle Nebula also suggested an extra trip could benefit with his performance when finding just one too good last time. He is in form after victory two starts ago but the extra four few pounds on his back this time could tell. Colourful Move has hinted a few times that his best form is about to return but so far those performances have yet to emerge. He shaped better again last time so if this isn't another false dawn he looks off a light rating. Black Or Red was slightly disappointing last time but did beat our pick on his penultimate start so needs to be considered but in a wide open race that selection remains with Blockley.
Black Or Red (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 15l behind Sphinx (9-6) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Croix Rouge (USA) 40-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, raced keenly, headway over 1f out, not reached leaders, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Silent Act (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Blockley (USA) 20-1 (11-5) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on to take 2nd on far side final 100 yards, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Kokkokila (11-0) at Goodwood 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Eagle Nebula 4-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, good headway on outside 2f out, went 2nd entering final 1f, closing gradually on winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind New World Order (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Cape Greko 66-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 13, 5l behind Silent Act (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Highland Homestead 33-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling over 3f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Ja One (9-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Court Princess 66-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear, some headway 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 9l behind King's Salute (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Home 25-1 (9-1) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 10l behind Saborido (8-7) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Colourful Move 20-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, hard ridden and driven over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 13, 7l behind He's Cool (9-1) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Purely By Chance 20-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 4l behind Irish Ballad (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov '08.
Ede's 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 9th of 14, 13l behind Barton Sands (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo stks (7) pol in Dec '07.
Adage 33-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never in contention, 7th of 11, 17l behind Snowberry Hill (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Isle de Maurice 16-1 (9-4) Dwelt, soon held up towards rear, behind and looked struggling 3f out, driven and headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4l behind Ja One (9-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
