tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, driven out and in command final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, gradually weakened
led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed chasing winner, no extra inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides
raced keenly, towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon lost touch, weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off
close up 4th, ridden along 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, took 2nd final strides
steadied start, ridden and hanging right over 2f out, switched right, good headway on inside over 1f out, finished well inside final furlong, not reached leaders
held up 5th, headway into 3rd over 2f out, no impression on leaders, weakened final furlong
steadied start, held up behind, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling and lost touch over 2f out, tailed off
ZUWAAR impressed when scoring over course and distance last time and can take this contest from Greenwich Village and Salute. The selection tries to complete a four-timer here and clearly relishes this sort of stamina test. It is good to know that going this way around holds no fears either, and he won with something in hand that day so there is hope that he will cope well with the 8lb rise. Greenwich Village was in fine form over this sort of trip last summer and after an autumn break he returned straight to the winner's enclosure when running on well to win over this distance at Lingfield last month. A 4lb rise is far from insurmountable and he is entitled to go close. Salute was a course and distance winner last summer from the same mark as today's and went well in defeat here last time. He is entitled to be on the premises. Alnwick was a good ground Newbury winner when last seen in July but Peter Cundell's charge is another to have won over course and distance and he can go well when fresh, so he is respected. Kavaloti represents a yard in form and is probably capable of some improvement, while Sahara Sunshine is proving expensive to follow. Zuwaar is the selection here.
Greenwich Village 4-1 (9-2) Tracked leader until 10f out, remained close-up, ridden, effort 1f out, driven to lead post, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Epsom Salts (8-1) by a ns, 8 ran.
Salute (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, led 4f out, pressed and headed entering final 2f, kept pressing winner and every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Wine 'n Dine (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Alnwick 6-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on under pressure final furlong, held on well towards finish, won at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul beating Callisto Moon (8-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Jeczmien (POL) (9-6) Won at Magna Racino 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct '07 beating Paldox (9-3) by a nk, 7 ran.
Kavaloti (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up last, close enough 3f out, went 4th over 1f out, kept on one pace, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 11l behind Wine 'n Dine (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Calculating (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, pressed leader 10f out to over 3f out, behind final 2f, 6th of 7, 17l behind Wine 'n Dine (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Zuwaar 2-1fav (9-2) Held up, pushed along 4f out, headway over 2f out, led soon after and pushed clear, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Snowberry Hill (8-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Sahara Sunshine (8-11) Ran on late, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Vichy (8-10) at Argentan 1m 4f in Nov.
