mid-division, headway 2f out, not much room entering final furlong, soon switched left, kept on towards finish
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, always behind
prominent, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, headway 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
slowly into stride, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, eased out left and headway over 1f out, no impression on leaders
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, never on terms
led, clear over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Spoof Master is just one pound higher than when winning this race for another yard last year and is well worth monitoring in the market for support as he was entitled to need his recent debut for current connections but Best One boasts stronger, recent credentials and should put up another bold display. Paul Hanagan has teamed up successfully with Duke Of Rainford in the past and the gelding raced from a pound higher mark when scoring for him in July 2009 so remains feasibly treated following his narrow course and distance success. Almaty Express and Black Baccara are well handicapped, Sir Don needs a market check but the booking of Adam Beschizza for JOLLY RANCH looks significant and the filly is taken to return to form and improve on last year's third place finish in this contest.
Embra (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed narrowly entering final furlong, rallied to regain lead near finish, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-52 (6) pol beating Mushy Peas (8-10) by nk, 10 ran.
Alsufooh (USA) 33-1 (8-11) Quickly away, led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened and hampered on rail inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 14l behind Kinigi (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Kheley (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind Cape Melody (10-0) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Best One 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders on wide outside, went 2nd 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, edged left and no extra final 100 yards, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Final Rhapsody (8-9) at Bath 6f hcp 0-58 (6) gd.
Spoof Master (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Led early, chased leader until 2f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Mack's Sister (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Stargazing (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Hampered soon after start, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 15, 8l behind Hatta Stream (9-2) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sep.
Villaruz (IRE) 66-1 (9-12) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, no chance final 2f, 8th of 11, 15l behind Bold Diva (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Black Baccara 14-1 (8-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 10l behind Galatian (9-4) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Almaty Express 9-4fav (8-9) Chased leaders, ran on to lead entering final furlong, edged left, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Desert Strike (8-8) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sir Don (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 9l behind Metal Guru (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep '09.
Duke of Rainford 11-2 (9-0) Prominent, took keen hold, led over 1f out, soon ridden, just held on, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol beating Rebecca Romero (9-0) by ns, 7 ran.
Jolly Ranch 18-1 (8-13) Chased leader until 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 11l behind The Jailer (8-8) at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
