tracked leaders, ridden on outside over 3f out, edged right over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway going well to lead over 2f out, reduced lead well inside final furlong although jockey never picked whip up
led, headed over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
not much room start, held up and behind, headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, stayed on, always held
slowly into stride, behind, ridden 5f out, well behind final 3f
prominent early, tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent early, chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out until 1f out, not quicken
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, not much room when headway over 2f out, soon switched left, unable to get on terms
Sir Mark Prescott has been unable to conjure a victory for the superbly-bred Special Mission, who could do with a success for the paddocks. She's finished in the first four in her last six starts and should do so again. Miss M is only 4lb higher than her victory at this level at Windsor in the summer and has won on the surface while Houlton was having his first start since May when placed over the track and trip last month. Adrian Nicholls has done very well with Vivernus since acquiring him from Dubai, sending him out to score twice on Tapeta in the past few weeks. He's gone up 4lb for winning at Wolverhampton but should get into the frame. THE PINTO KID (NAP) indicated at an imminent victory when beaten a short-head over this trip at Lingfield then went one better over slightly shorter here. He's up 4lb but has only had six runs so should be capable of better.
Vivernus (USA) 22-1 (9-8) Close up, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Oct beating Enmeshing (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
The Pinto Kid (FR) 16-5 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well, readily, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Oct beating Pilot Wings (9-4) by 1l, 13 ran.
Special Mission 9-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left entering final furlong, kept on, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Seinesational (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Mary Elise (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 17 3/4l behind Naqaawa (9-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp fll (5) fm in Jun.
Imperial Court (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Keen close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Outbox (9-9) at Leicester 1m 4f stks (4) gd in Sep.
Tuscan Pearl 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 9th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Rippling Waters (9-1) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Serjeant Painter 9-1 (9-4) Dwelt and went right start, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Hackbridge (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Houlton 25-1 (9-6) Held up behind, headway under pressure over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take modest 3rd inside final 100 yards, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 14, 6 1/4l behind Cristal Spirit (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Miss M (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Ross Raith Rover (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
