soon handy, went 2nd over 8f out, driven over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, well beaten final 2f
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no headway
in touch, steadied over 8f out, effort over 1f out, unable to get on terms
prominent, switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression on winner towards finish
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, close up inside final furlong, 3rd and beaten towards finish
in rear, well beaten final 2f
mid-division on inside, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, never looked liked getting on terms
held up in mid-division, closed on outside 5f out, ridden and not pace of leaders from over 1f out
UNIVERSAL COMMAND made a belated comeback last month before winning easily at Wolverhampton. He’s been raised 10lb but there looks plenty more to come from Roger Charlton’s charge. Livvys Dream landed a double over a mile earlier and went close again over 1m2f at Newmarket last time. She’s preferred to Villette on that form while Plunger steps up in distance having won over 7f at Leicester during the summer and Sing Out Loud and Guvenor's Choice are others with something to prove over the longer trip.
Intrepidly (USA) 16-1 (9-12) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon behind, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 27 3/4l behind Charlie D (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Dommersen (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Slowly into stride, pushed along to lead after 1f, ridden and headed over 4f out, remained prominent, weakened entering final 2f, 6th of 11, 24l behind Victoria Drummond (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Plunger 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Nicklaus (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Universal Command 2-1fav (9-3) Headway from wide draw to chase leader over 8f out, led well over 2f out, clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Critical Thinking (9-4) by 4l, 12 ran.
Villette (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure on outside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 9, 2l behind Saryshagann (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Guvenor's Choice (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Led, joined 3f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Big Kitten (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Sing Out Loud (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-5) Slowly away towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 4l behind Macaque (9-4) at Goodwood 1m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Noble Expression 20-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, under pressure over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Caspar The Cub (8-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
De Bruyne Horse 28-1 (10-12) Held up in last trio, some headway after 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 21 1/4l behind Elysees (11-4) at Ludlow 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Livvys Dream (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) Keen in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, soon edged right, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind C Note (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Paddy The Chef (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Always behind, 9th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Knight Errant (9-6) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.