steadied start, held up last, headway from 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
made all, raced keenly, led and set modest pace, ridden and quickened 2f out, soon clear, ridden out unchallenged
slowly into stride, tracked winner to 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out
held up 6th, headway 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner
held up 4th, ridden over 4f out, always struggling afterwards
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders and soon outpaced
The weight-for-age allowance can help ESEEJ to get his nose in front for the first time here, while The Little Master looks the main danger. Eseej has not broken any pots so far, but then nor have the rest of this moderate lot, though he has shown some glimmer of ability over middle distances. Tripwise this looks to be ideal territory, he is drawn on the inside rail and might just be able to dominate and he looks favoured at the weights so we will side with him. The Little Master is out of similar mould to the selection and those in favour of a punt will probably suggest that he is open to more improvement. However, he wasn't seen before his official fourth birthday and so he doesn't strike you as a forward sort who is going anywhere fast. Nonetheless he is weighted to go close. Silver Surprise is still suffering at the hands of the assessor after finishing second here in October and needs a drop before winning, and Sestet may be a better proposition. Lightly-raced and open to improvement, the step up in trip looks a plus for Simon Dow's filly and although she will receive a mark after this run she may be good enough to worry the major players. Russian Angel is deserving of a market check, but for tonight we'll take Eseej to score.
The Little Master (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon struggling, 9th of 12, 12l behind Blockley (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Amwell House 8-1 (9-3) In touch, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 12l behind Red Expresso (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) fbs.
Eseej (USA) 25-1 (8-10) Raced wide, chased leaders, driven over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 34l behind Brave Mave (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Little Rococoa 33-1 (9-3) Slowly away and went left start, always behind, ridden and struggling 3f out, 7th of 8, 15l behind L'Hirondelle (9-6) at Kempton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Nov.
Russian Angel 12-1 (9-1) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind L'Hirondelle (9-6) at Kempton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Nov.
Silver Surprise 28-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and lost place over 3f out, tailed off, last of 12, 22l behind Blockley (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Shipboard Romance (IRE) 22-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind Marino Prince (8-6) at W'hampton 7f 2yo sll (6) pol in Nov '07.
Sestet 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, went 2nd well inside final furlong, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind L'Hirondelle (9-6) at Kempton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Nov.
