slowly away soon switched right start, held up, ridden over 1f out, never a factor
in touch, headway on inner entering final 2f, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish
in rear, ridden 2f out, never near leaders
towards rear, wide and headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leader 2f out, one pace final furlong
close up, pushed along and lost place 3f out
keren tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader until pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on one pace final furlong
set steady pace, shaken up and quickened pace approaching 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed towards finish
Soghan beat True Destiny when winning at Wolverhampton last time but this is much tougher and the latter re-opposes on better terms. On To Victory is preferred in this grade after winning the November Handicap over 1m4f at Doncaster, though still has something to prove over this far and ROCK EAGLE (NAP) makes most appeal. The latter debuts on the all-weather having run well for a long way over 2m2f in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last month and Ralph Beckett’s yard remains in top form. Alfredo hasn’t been at his best on Turf since returning to action but has won five of eight outings on the all-weather tracks and Lucky Deal will also appreciate the return to Polytrack.
On To Victory 10-1 (9-0) Raced wide held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Rhythmic Intent (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 23 ran.
Rock Eagle 18-1 (9-6) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 5th of 34, 7 1/4l behind Great White Shark (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Lucky Deal 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4f out, soon behind, detached, 5th of 6, dist behind Stag Horn (9-0) at Pontefract 2m 2f stks (2) sft in Oct.
Island Brave (IRE) 80-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, never a factor, 30th of 34, dist behind Great White Shark (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Cleonte (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) In touch, weakened 4f out, soon eased, last of 34, dist behind Great White Shark (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Now Children (IRE) 250-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 14th of 23, 24 1/4l behind On To Victory (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Alfredo (IRE) 22-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, some minor late headway, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Main Fact (9-4) at Nottingham 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
True Destiny 40-1 (8-6) Towards rear, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 27th of 34, dist behind Great White Shark (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Soghan (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Disputed lead early, in touch, closed 3f out, led over 1f out, soon edged left and clear, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (4) pol in Sep beating True Destiny (10-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.