held up, hampered after 1f, headway, not clear run over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on same pace
behind, headway over 1f out, kept on, never nearer
prominent, ridden, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, weakening when not much room over 2f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, 3 lengths clear halfway, hard ridden approaching final furlong, headed, no extra last strides
held up in rear, headway, not clear run over 1f out, soon faded
close up, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, never on terms
Forest Dane can follow up at the expense of Grand View, Arfinnit and Lady Hopeful. Forest Dane has better claims than most here, having won two of his last three starts, including over the course-and-distance last week, scoring readily under Oscar Urbina. A similar effort here should suffice, and he can see off the challenge of the other recent winner Grand View who is at the veteran stage now, but who looked the part when winning at Wolverhampton the other week. Brighton winner Arfinnit has not been out since October so will need the outing, but is likely to try and make the running. That should set things up nicely for the selection, and although the well-drawn Lady Hopeful is another that can make life a bit difficult, we have every confidence in Forest Dane.
Forest Dane 5-1 (9-2) Held up rear, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on, won at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol beating Rowanberry (8-13) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Double M 10-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden 2f out, one pace, 7th of 12, 6l behind Forest Dane (9-2) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Arfinnit (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Always prominent, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Aintnecessarilyso (9-2) at Warwick 6f stk (7) gd in Oct.
Lauren Louise 20-1 (8-12) Towards rear and keen, some late progress, 5th of 12, 4l behind Forest Dane (9-2) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Grand View 9-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, just held on, won at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol beating Midmaar (8-11) by a shd, 11 ran.
Lady Hopeful (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Geojimali (9-2) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) std.
Cut Ridge (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, last of 16, 28l behind Stellite (8-10) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Sept.
Jennverse 12-1 (8-12) Held up rear, switched left 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Forest Dane (9-2) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
