led for 2f, stayed prominent, chased leader over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
ran in snatches, in touch, driven and effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent, went 2nd halfway, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3f out, led over 1f out, driven, stayed on well
slowly away, held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and headway on inside 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
pulled hard in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led after 2f, headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
Nonrunner
Up In Arms can score in the finale, with Serhaaphim and Pocket Too also considered. The selection arrives here in good form and he can make his presence felt over this longer trip. Jim Crowley has already managed to get a winning tune out of this 3-year-old and he is restored to the saddle tonight to fuel the confidence. Serhaaphim plugged-on gamely at Nottingham last time after travelling well for much of the race, but she has been off the track since August and may be sharper for this outing. Pocket Too ran well last time on his return from a break and this step-up in trip should suit him, so he is also worth considering. Critical Stage is a course and distance winner and could prove best of the others, but this looks a good opportunity for Up In Arms who gets the vote.
Critical Stage (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, 8th of 9, 21l behind Noora (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Pocket Too 13-2 (9-0) Mid-division, progress to lead just inside final furlong, soon hard pressed, headed post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Rehearsed (9-13) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Moon Emperor 14-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, steady headway and in touch 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 16l behind Sendinpost (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Haatmey 12-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Dark Parade (9-9) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Up In Arms (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Crete (9-9) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Ronsard (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Steadied start, in rear, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Dark Parade (9-9) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Serhaaphim 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on, headed towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Franchoek (9-0) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Isa'af (IRE) 11-2 (8-6) Towards rear, soon chased along, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 45l behind Al Moulatham (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f clm (6) fbs in Mar.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders to over 5f out, gradually weakened, 9th of 10, 10l behind Dark Parade (9-9) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Colonel Flay 8-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway from over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 6l behind Diamond Key (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
