tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, edged left, no extra
chased leader, effort 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 3f out, soon driven to challenge, stayed on well under pressure
held up in touch, chased leaders 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
behind, headway over 1f out, ran on, never nearer
The smallest field in the four runnings of this race and the vote is given to top-rated HELIODOR ahead of Suits Me and South Easter. Richard Hannon's colt made a pleasing comeback when third to Buxton in a Listed race here earlier in the month. That should have brought him on plenty and this proven course winner is fancied to make the most of these terms. December Draw has had a profitable winter, winning most recently at Wolverhampton. So far his form at this track doesn't quite match up but he has not had many chances. Safari Sunup flopped in the November handicap when last seen but he is rated better than that and he ran well behind Charm School here last September. South Easter was once spoken about as a Derby horse but his three-year-old season didn't quite pan out like that. He has the ability to be better than this grade and must go close if he has trained on and is fit and raring to go. Suits Me is a gutsy front-runner who continues to hold his form well. He doesn't know how to run a bad race and this course and distance winner must not be given his own way out in front or he will have them in trouble. Honomiere completes the field and is already a valuable horse. She progressed well last season and may just have found it one race too many when below par at Newmarket in October. It's interesting that connections keep her in training and she should not be underestimated. A cracking little race, but preference is for Heliodor.
December Draw (IRE) 11-4 (8-13) Tracked leaders in 4th, led 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-95 (3) std beating Thunderstruck (8-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Heliodor (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, headed over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Buxted (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol.
Safari Sunup (IRE) 22-1 (8-6) Held up, weakened over 2f out, 18th of 23, 34l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
South Easter (IRE) 7-2fav (8-12) Tracked leaders on inner, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 12, 10l behind Father Time (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Suits Me 9-1 (9-0) Led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied towards finish when winner idled, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Group 3 (1) pol.
Honimiere (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Set steady pace, quickened over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 11th of 13, 7l behind Enticement (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
