slowly into stride, held up in 6th, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not quite pace to reach leaders
took keen hold, led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in close 5th, travelling well over 2f out, led 2f out, 3 lengths clear 1f out, hard driven final furlong, just lasted
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, until over 2f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, held up in 7th and well off the pace, not clear run 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, went 2nd and closed on winner near finish, just failed
chased leaders, driven and went 2nd over 1f out, until one pace inside final furlong
chased leader, until 5f out, close up, until ridden, hung right over 2f out and soon weakened
held up in rear, made headway final furlong, never any chance
A case can be made for a number of these, but we will side with ESEEJ; Phoenix Flight and Wait For The Light are the main dangers. The selection is running well at present and he beat Paddy Rielly in good style at Southwell last time. He is a confirmed frontrunner so his high draw is a big plus and he should take all the beating. Phoenix Flight was narrowly beaten at Wolverhampton earlier in the month over 2m and although he has winning form over today's trip, he does shape as though he will be more effective over further. Wait For The Light had the run of the race here last time and he was still collared close home by Filun. He is entitled to come on for the run as he was returning from a break, but he does like to raise prominently so his draw is far from ideal. Imperial Harry has a bit to prove at present but he does at least boast course and distance winning form. There are plenty in with chances but we will side with Eseej as the pick.
Clear Reef 5-2fav (9-6) In rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 10, 8l behind River Ardeche (8-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Eseej (USA) 2-1fav (9-10) Made all, hung right from 5f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Paddy Rielly (8-13) by 4l, 7 ran.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, raced keenly, switched right and headway over 2f out, hung right entering straight, soon edged left and challenging, hung right inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Laurel Creek (10-0) at W'hampton 2m.
Imperial Harry 3-1 (9-6) Chased leading pair, ridden, not quicken over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Filun (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Right Stuff (FR) 3-1fav (9-7) Behind, headway and effort 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Taikoo (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Soundbyte 16-1 (8-3) Towards rear, ridden along and headway over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 20, 3/4l behind Wells Lyrical (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Wait For The Light 12-1 (9-3) Soon led, set steady pace, quickened from 3f out, narrowly headed just inside final 2f, stayed challenging throughout final furlong, rallied near finish, just held, 2nd of 8, hd behind Filun (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Aphrodisia 14-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, hampered on rails inside final 2f, no danger after, 8th of 13, 6l behind Brouhaha (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
