took keen hold, held up in rear, cruised up to challenge 2f out, led over 1f out, soon quickened to go clear, easily
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, ran on and went 2nd inside final furlong, never any chance with winner
held up, driven on outer and unable to quicken 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd last stride
took keen hold, chased leader, driven to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd inside final furlong, caught for 3rd last stride
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
took keen hold, held up, moderate headway final furlong, no danger
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Al Khaleej is taken to get the better of Guilded Warrior and Resplendent Nova in this handicap. The selection showed up well in some decent races last season and if he is fit enough to do himself justice on his seasonal reappearance then he should take all the beating from a good high draw. Guilded Warrior is fit from a pipe opener at Leicester when he ran well behind The Osteopath. He does appear to be high enough in the weights though and the draw has not done him any favours today. Resplendent Nova is a game sort and he has solid form at this track so he can again run his race and he makes plenty of each-way appeal. Count Ceprano won well last time but a 6lbs penalty may find him out today and a safer appears to be Al Khaleej who gets our pick.
Al Khaleej (IRE) 11-8fav (8-13) Dwelt, raced keenly and soon close up, driven over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 7l behind Troubadour (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Guilded Warrior 9-1 (8-11) Pulled hard, chased leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind The Osteopath (8-10) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Resplendent Nova 9-2 (8-5) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Vitznau (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Went right start, soon prominet, driven to challenge 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2l behind King of Dixie (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Super Frank (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Tracked winner, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Markab (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Sand Cat 6-1 (8-4) Held up, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 10l behind Bentong (9-4) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Titan Triumph 9-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Halsion Chancer (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Phluke 9-1 (9-4) In rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 13, 5l behind Shustraya (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 7-4fav (8-7) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Red Romeo (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.