tracked leaders, went 2nd 8 out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
always in rear, well beaten over 2f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon hung right, no impression inside final furlong
chased leaders, surged along from 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
prominent, led after 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken well inside final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
led 2f, remained prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and not quicken 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
We'll side with recent winner MANNLICHEN to get the better of Aurorian and fellow last-time-out scorer Lyra's Daemon. The selection is up 5lb for a convincing course-and-distance success at the start of November having been gradually stepped up in trip throughout his career. The increased test of stamina worked the oracle that day as the horse returned the well backed winner and if returning to the track in the same mood Joe Fanning's mount can repeat the dose. The gelding is one of four relatively unexposed three-year-olds in today's line-up and with improvement therefore entirely possible he rates a solid bet here. Aurorian represents the powerful Richard Hannon yard and has been steadily dropping in the weights from what was initially a harsh handicap mark. Richard Hughes's mount took fourth over 1m2f here last time and with today's extra distance likely to suit he can hopefully stay on to grab a place for the first time this year from what should prove to be a feasible handicap rating. Lyra's Daemon returns to Kempton having recorded a comfortable success over this trip at Wolverhampton last time when under Neil Callan. Martin Dwyer returns for the ride today and is likely to bounce the horse out from a good draw in ten before attempting to make all aboard the filly who has now won three from seven of her starts. With an upwardly mobile profile she rates a serious danger to our selection here. Drum Dragon has been consistent throughout his relatively brief career but was ultimately well held over course-and-distance last time whilst Green Wadi has an absence of over a year to contend with, so a bigger threat to the principles may be the talented but quirky Saloon who has winning form here. We like the look of the younger generation though of them Mannlichen is the pick.
Mildoura (FR) 100-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and lost place over 3f out, 9th of 12, 20l behind Baila Me (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 5f flls lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Cupid's Glory 40-1 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 13l behind Farleigh House (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Hallingdal (UAE) 50-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, pushed along, one pace and no impression on leaders final 2f, 6th of 8, 9l behind Anmar (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f stks (3) pol.
Saloon (USA) 14-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 9l behind Crocus Rose (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Green Wadi 2-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, ran on, won at Bath 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fm in Jun '08 beating Ragdollianna (9-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
First To Call 66-1 (8-13) Reared start, held up in rear, weakened 1f out, 11th of 12, 10l behind Tinshu (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Mannlichen 13-8fav (9-4) Held up, headway to track leaders over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Silent Act (8-13) by 2l, 7 ran.
Motarjm (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Held up, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 15l behind Tinshu (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Lyra's Daemon 8-1 (8-11) Keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Traphalgar (9-8) by 2l, 9 ran.
Drum Dragon 6-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, effort over 2f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Ebony Eyes (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Aurorian (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, stayed on final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Tinshu (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
