towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on
slowly into stride, keen, steady headway over 2f out, ridden 1f out, led well inside final furlong
towards rear, effort over 2f out, kept on
slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, no extra
chased leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed well inside
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden 2f out, weakening when headed inside final furlong, hung right
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
always towards rear
started slowly, in rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden and one pace
Pietersen can hit his rivals for six in a race where Golden Prospect and Arthur's Edge are just two others worth considering. His latest start, a staying on second over 7 furlongs, was his first visit here and he looks sure to appreciate this longer trip on that showing. He will need some luck in running given his hold up style but is on a winning mark and hails from an in-form yard. Golden Prospect is relatively unexposed and the booking of Sanders is a positive for the yard but Arthur's Edge has been going from strength to strength and appeals as the one to beat. He's 6lbs higher than when winning at Wolverhampton but may not be finished with yet. Carlitos Spirit and Passato are also considered but we're sending Pietersen out to bat for us in this heat.
Golden Prospect 7-1 (9-3) Pulled hard, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Princess Taylor (9-4) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Blacktoft (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, 12th of 13, 23l behind Den's Gift (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Onenightinlisbon (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Tracked winner to well over 2f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 11l behind Angel Voices (7-11) at Kempton 7f fll hcp (5) pol.
Parkview Love (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Mr Lambros (9-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Nicada (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Tracked clear leader, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 10l behind Monkey Glas (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Our Kes (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Took keen hold, held up, driven on wide outside to over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Friends Hope (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Arthur's Edge 3-1jt-fav (8-5) Chased leader, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon led, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol beating Jord (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Pietersen (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Smokin Joe (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 15-8fav (8-13) Led to post, in rear, ridden halfway, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 8l behind Dasheena (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Passato (GER) 28-1 (8-8) Held up, hampered 7f out, ridden over 2f out, no headway, 7th of 9, 7l behind Arthur's Edge (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol.
Prince of Charm (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Started slowly, always towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 12, 13l behind Blu Manruna (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Binnion Bay (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Started very slowly, well in rear, headway over 3f out and in touch, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 10l behind Seneschal (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
