held up in rear, switched outside and headway inside final 2f, ran on well inside final furlong to take 2nd near finish, no impression with winner
raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd near finish
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra final furlong, lost 4th near finish
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and lost place over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no impression with leaders
in touch on outside, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place and ridden, weakened final furlong
soon led, driven and headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, led 1f out, driven and stayed on well final furlong
in touch on outside, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place and behind
mid-division on inside, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong, went 4th near finish
Recent maiden winners Tropics and EMBANKMENT are the ones most likely to find further improvement. The former showed signs of temperament when landing the odds on his third start here last month so we'll side with Willie Jarvis' colt, who overcame inexperience to score at Windsor and looks better treated. The hat-trick-seeking Schoolmaster has only ever won at Lingfield and will struggle to dominate on this stiffer course while Saharia didn't find as much as expected off the bridle at Wolverhampton last time and looks high enough in the weights now. Rakaan met trouble in-running here last time and is dropped in class while Red Seventy and Saoi are also eased in grade and not without a chance.
Rakaan (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, took keen hold, ridden over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, never on terms, 9th of 14, 5l behind Santefisio (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Tropics (USA) 1-2fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and flashed tail inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Kalokagathia (9-3) by 4l, 10 ran.
Schoolmaster 5-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden 2 lengths clear over 1f out, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Delft (9-4) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Shifting Star (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Awkwardly away, held up, ridden 2f out, no impression, 9th of 13, 3l behind Schoolmaster (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Saharia (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Towards rear, smooth headway on outer 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden and found little, headed final strides, 2nd of 13, hd behind Afraah (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Mahadee (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Schoolmaster (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Red Seventy 9-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 16, 6l behind Sam Nombulist (9-3) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Embankment 7-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, switched left to outside and driven inside final 2f, closed inside final furlong, led final 100 yards, stayed on well, won at Windsor 1m mdn stks (5) sft in Oct beating Surreal (8-12) by nk, 12 ran.
Islesman 14-1 (9-3) Soon chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out, last of 12, 19l behind Night And Dance (9-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Saoi (USA) 18-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Ibtahaj (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Fantasy Gladiator 25-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, soon pushed along, no impression when hung right and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Night And Dance (9-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
