tracked leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, hard pressed over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader on outside, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken, stayed on one pace final furlong
steadied start, settled in rear, good headway from 2f out, stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, not reach leaders
mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, some modest late headway over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place and weakened quickly over 1f out
towards rear, stayed on for over 1f out, never nearer
held up behind, good headway on outside over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
steadied start, soon mid-division, effort over 1f out, stayed on to close on leaders well inside final furlong
behind mid-division, headway to press leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead narrowly well inside final furlong, all out
led until headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, until weakened quickly over 2f out
raced keenly behind, ridden over 2f out, soon struggling, never dangerous
Megalo Maniac will probably carry a fair weight in punters' money here but we will take him on with SARAH'S ART. Stef Liddiard's gelding is stepped back up to 7f from the minimum trip here, and it was over the latter distance we last saw her when a shade unlucky here. She has course and distance winning form and should improvement for the recent spin so from this mark we'll go with her. Megalo Maniac turns up seeking a hat-trick after wins over this trip and 6f at Southwell. He too has a course and distance win to his name but a 7lb rise makes this plenty tough enough. Fun In The Sun is never too far away but as a result his handicap mark is not dropping to a level from which he can yet win. Talon is another in the grip of the handicapper at present, while Torquemada is on a good mark but seems to reserve his best for Leicester. We'll take Sarah's Art to paint a winning picture.
Megalo Maniac 5-4fav (8-12) Led after 2f, ridden clear over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs beating Betteras Bertie (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Motu (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 8l behind Shunkawakhan (8-11) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Imperium 11-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, good headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 3l behind Tilsworth Charlie (8-12) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
The Jailer 16-1 (8-11) Always behind, 9th of 10, 8l behind Cool Sands (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Torquemada (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Raced keenly behind, good headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 12, 2l behind Tilsworth Charlie (8-12) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Talon (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 7l behind Blues Minor (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Fun In The Sun 7-1jt-fav (9-0) Towards rear, hard ridden and edging left under pressure, headway over 2f out, stayed on, just denied, 2nd of 14, shd behind Brandane (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Outer Hebrides 20-1 (8-8) Keen, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Mozayada (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Takitwo 15-2 (8-2) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 13l behind Ken's Girl (9-2) at Leicester 7f app hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Piccolo Diamante (USA) 8-1 (8-10) Pulled hard in rear, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 9l behind Hart of Gold (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Langham House 25-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, hung right over 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, until unable to quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Charming Escort (9-2) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Double Valentine 11-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 9, 8l behind Tina's Best (9-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Wooden King (IRE) 11-1 (8-8) Led narrowly until headed 5f out, stayed prominent, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 21l behind Tous Les Deux (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Sarah's Art (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway and switched left from over 1f out, stayed on final furlong when 2nd near finish, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Musical Script (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
