slowly into stride, behind, some headway over 2f out, never troubled leaders
prominent, ridden to dispute lead inside final furlong, every chance, not quite pace of winner near finish
in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders
led until headed and weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to snatch 3rd post and gaining close home
tracked leaders to over 1f out, no impression and weakened quickly
chased leaders to over 3f out, weakened rapidly
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders
tracked leader to over 1f out, soon one pace
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
Imperium can come out on top in a competitive handicap, with Larky's Lob, Siraj, State Dilemma and George The Second all respected. There is plenty of winning form to go on here, and only a narrow vote goes to Imperium who came fast and late to dead-heat with Mulberry Lad at Lingfield at the end of November. Prior to that, the five-year-old was successful over today's course-and-distance in Banded company, but is better than that as his latest success proves. He is still well treated on form of old, and should make a bold bid. Larky's Lob has topweight to overcome but has been in good form at Southwell. This faster surface may find him out though and he is passed over, while the winning run of Siraj here came to an end last time, and he is another best watched now perhaps. Further down the weights, the likes of State Dilemma, George The Second and Muscari all have enough class to get involved for a place at least, but we like the look of Imperium.
Imperium 9-2 (9-2) Dwelt, soon in touch, went 2nd 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to force dead-heat on line, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov deadheating with Mulberry Lad (8-5), 11 ran.
Siraj 5-4fav (9-2) Came over from wide draw and soon with leader, led after 2f, ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Cree (9-1) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Caustic Wit (IRE) 22-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Linda Green (8-8) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
State Dilemma (IRE) 13-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 12l behind Atlantic Story (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcap (6) pol in Nov.
George The Second 16-1 (8-8) Chased leader, led approaching 2f out, hard driven final furlong, held on well near finish, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Creme Brulee (8-7) by a nk, 12 ran.
Muscari 3-1 (8-9) Led early, held up behind leaders, chased winner 2f out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Ludovico (8-12) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol.
Count Cougar (USA) 40-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 13, 8l behind Atlantic Story (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Nov.
Larky's Lob 11-2 (9-1) Chased leader, led halfway, clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Southwell 6f hcap (6) fbs beating Majik (8-11) by 5l, 14 ran.
