chased leaders on inside, weakened between last 2
mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
took keen hold, held up in rear, smooth headway on inside after 3 out, challenged next, led last, ran on well
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th and beaten when hampered last
reluctant to line up and led in, led until before 4 out, chased leader, led again 2 out, headed last, ridden and kept on same pace run-in
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, every chance next, 3rd and one pace approaching last, lost 3rd close home
never better than mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, 6th and weakening when fell last
chased leader until before 4 out, chased leaders, weakened soon after next, tailed off and eased before 2 out
Olympic Odyssey, a winner over 1m2f at Nottingham in June, should prove the best of the newcomers in this but experience should prove decisive. NEBUCHADNEZZAR represents the same trainer/jockey combination successful 12 months ago and can go one better than when second at Bangor when the first two pulled a long way clear. Belargus beat only one home at Sandown but wasn’t given a hard time and will be expected to leave that run well behind in the future. Deadline Diva is a daughter of Frankel and having a first run for a yard with an excellent record in this race so makes more appeal than the other penalised runner San Seb.
San Seb (GER) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Song For Someone (11-4) by 11l, 8 ran.
Ace Combat 40-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 14l behind Juanito Chico (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Beat The Judge (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Perfect Refuge (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Sep.
Belargus (FR) 10-3 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up in 5th, tracked leaders 4th, close up and every chance before 2 out, shaken up and unable to quicken between last 2, soon beaten, weakened flat, 5th of 6, 26 1/4l behind Torpillo (11-5) at Sandown 2m (2) hvy in Dec.
Chaparral Prince (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Chased leaders, reminders after 5th, never able to get on terms, weakened 2 out, 9th of 14, 30l behind Twenty Twenty (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep.
Nebuchadnezzar (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and joined 2 out, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Nelson River (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Olympic Odyssey 1-2fav (9-13) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, every chance throughout final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 8, hd behind Airplane (9-0) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Playa Blanca (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 5th, outpaced after 3 out, ridden after next, never able to challenge, 7th of 11, 37 1/2l behind Fresno Emery (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec.
Prabeni 7-4 (9-2) Chased leader, ridden to challenge 3f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Ripon 1m 4f stks (5) gd in Sep beating Gifts Of Gold (9-2) by nk, 6 ran.
Deadline Diva (10-5) won at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 2m sft in Sep beating Farces Attrapes (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Sheila's Empire (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Raced keenly, tracked leader 2f, handy 3rd until lost place slightly on inside over 2f out, rallied and switched left to inside over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Lumen (8-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
