led until headed just inside final furlong, weakened quickly
tracked leader, every chance 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden and stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
took keen hold in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly in mid-division, headway to lead just inside final furlong, driven out
slowly into stride, towards rear, good headway over 1f out, ran on strongly, finished well, not reach winner, lost 2nd post
held up in rear, late headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish
behind, headway and not clear run inside final furlong, finished strongly when clear, took 2nd post, unlucky
towards rear, never on terms
Detonate, Almowj and Hill of Almhuim are the three for the shortlist and Detonate gets the nod. The selection's fitness has to be taken on trust but the front runner could be the answer to what is a weak contest in spite of the numbers. Almowj is dropped back in trip but cannot be ruled out as he shaped well for a long way on his latest start. Hill Of Almhuim has become disappointing after initial signs of promise. The drop in trip may suit. Mustammer ran creditably at Wolverhampton in selling grade and would have chances from a favourable draw. Amber Glory is dropped in grade after a series of below par efforts off higher marks. Cool Tiger ran a bizarre race at Southwell last week as he consented to throw away his race in the first 50 yards. Detonate has less negatives than most and receives the nomination.
Amber Glory 33-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 12l behind Larky's Lob (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcap (6) fbs.
Luloah 66-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 8l behind Succeed (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcap (6) pol.
Patternmaker (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leader until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Zazous (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Thoughtsofstardom 16-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, held up in rear, no chance when not clear run over 1f out, last of 12, 13l behind Millfields Dreams (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcap (6) pol.
Cool Tiger 3-1fav (9-2) Dwelt, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 9l behind Blakeshall Quest (9-2) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Detonate 18-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Kennington (9-9) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Almowj 4-1 (8-2) With leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon headed and weakened, 7th of 10, 9l behind Moyoko (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcap (6) pol.
Black Oval 25-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway on inside rail from over 1f out, finished well to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Cree (9-1) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Epineuse 20-1 (8-8) Broke well, soon pushed along in rear, never dangerous, last of 10, 11l behind Rowe Park (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Hill of Almhuim (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, improved 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 5l behind Green Pirate (9-2) at Lingfield 1m banded stk (7) pol.
Mustammer 16-1 (8-12) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind The London Gang (9-5) at W'hampton 6f sll (6) pol.
Oakbridge (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Soon chasing leaders, edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2l behind Claws (9-5) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol.
