towards rear, headway on inner 2f out, short of room and checked over 1f out, never nearer
started slowly, prominent on inner, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakend quickly
tracked leader to over 2f out, soon weakened
led until headed well over 1f out, kept on until faded inside final furlong
behind, headway 2f out, stayed on well near finish
tracked leader, led inside final 2f, headed just inside final furlong, outpaced by winner
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, driven out
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer
mid-division, not much room on inner over 2f out, staying on when checked inside final furlong
in touch, effort 2f out, took 3rd inside final furlong, gaining on leaders close home
always towards rear, in rear when weakened over 2f out, tailed off
started slowly, behind, headway on outer 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out
behind, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, not trouble leaders
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
Players Please, Watamu and Mr Aviator are the three to look at closely here, with Players Please the selection. Watamu is ten pounds higher than when readily disposing of last year's subsequent Lincoln winner Very Wise on his last start a year ago. He has not been seen since but he clearly handles the surface and the form is very solid so Watamu can play a leading role but may just need the outing. Mr Aviator was tried in some good handicaps last season and struggled to win, but his handicap mark slipped, and he took full advantage here on his re-appearance. He is six pounds higher here, and his breeding suggests the trip may be a question mark. A winner over this course and distance last year, Players Please finished off last season with a great third in a top Ascot handicap. He is conceding weight to most of his rivals here, but his form looks to be on a different level to his rivals, and Players Please can resume winning ways.
Heron Bay 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 14th of 21, 11l behind Malt Or Mash (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Nov.
Players Please (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, no extra when headed final 50 yards, 3rd of 17, nk behind Buccellati (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct.
Watamu (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) Mid-division, switched right over 3f out, smooth headway over 2f out, led on bit over 1f out, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar '07 beating Very Wise (8-11) by 3l, 12 ran.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) With leader, led over 4f out until over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 16l behind Escape Route (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Charlie Tokyo (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 12th of 14, 19l behind Hattan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) pol.
Mr Aviator (USA) 2-1fav (9-4) Made all, led, set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, in command over 1f out, ridden out, unchallenged, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Ballinteni (9-1) by 2l, 7 ran.
Philatelist (USA) 11-2 (9-0) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, effort over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 13l behind Hattan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) pol.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Grande Caiman (9-5) by a nk, 8 ran.
Pinch of Salt (IRE) 5-4jt-fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, chased winner 5f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 4, 20l behind Invasian (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
John Terry (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Dwelt, headway after 2f, ridden to lead 1f out, soon headed, one pace, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sgt Schultz (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Permanent Way (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, ridden well over 1f out, edged right 1f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 8l behind Millville (9-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Gold Prospect 7-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out to chase leaders, one pace, 4th of 8, 8l behind Seeking The Buck (9-1) at Haydock 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Mustajed 40-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 9l behind All The Good (9-4) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Sept.
Smokey The Bear 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 13l behind Prime Number (8-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
Ballinteni 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Mr Aviator (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
