held up behind, mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, no extra over 1f out and weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to close on leaders near finish
led 2f, tracked leader after, ridden over 2f out, no headway, weakened over 1f out
behind, ridden and outpaced final 2f, never dangerous
steadied start, keen in rear, good headway from 2f out, ran on strongly to take 3rd well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened and lost place over 1f out, soon in rear
chased leaders, ridden along over 2f out, headway to chase leader 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
pressed leader, led after 2f, 2l clear 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong
towards rear, wide straight well over 1f out, never a factor
raced keenly in rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never a factor
in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened quickly over 1f out
Azygous and SIMPSONS GAMBLE look to be vying for honours here with the latter getting the vote and Scruffy Skip also given a small chance. The selection comes into the race having recorded a course-and-distance victory three starts ago. The last run can be forgiven after he struggled to perform under a lot of weight but returns here without that and a much more competitive rating. He's been running really well, last attempt apart, and is well positioned to return to the number one spot. Azygous may well be in this race off a mark lower than his last winning rating but this gelding looks every bit the five-furlong specialist. While the minimum trip has brought connections over ¿20,000 in prize money this distance has been a fruitless so far. You do have to give him a chance on those efforts but there's too much doubt to give him the pick. Despite recent poor efforts Scruffy Skip has to be considered after a win over distance at Great Leighs in October. Off the same mark here he receives weight from his rivals and a return to that form and that which saw him placed here recently will have him grabbing some of the spoils. Tyrannosaurus Rex is yet to get his head in front on the polytrack but on turf form is given a bit of a claim while Local Royal is not in the best form of late but has won off a mark of 84 (32lbs better than he carries here) and should be looked at.
Tyrannosaurus Rex (IRE) 5-1 (8-6) Mid-division, effort halfway, no impression, 8th of 11, 5l behind Incomparable (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Azygous 10-1 (8-13) Behind, ridden along 2f out, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 10, 4l behind Desert Opal (9-2) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Simpsons Gamble (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, no chance when eased final furlong, 10th of 11, 10l behind Back In The Red (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Forever Changes 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, lost place and behind 2f out, never dangerous afterwards, 8th of 12, 6l behind River Kirov (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Scruffy Skip (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up 4th, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened, 10th of 11, 6l behind Convallaria (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 4l behind Kaystar Ridge (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) std in Nov.
Acclimate 11-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, 6th of 13, 10l behind Mr Funshine (8-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jul.
Shaded Edge 11-4fav (8-12) Chased leaders on outside, driven to chase leading pair 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Bold Diva (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) std in Nov.
Bollin Franny 7-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort well over 1f out, no headway and weakened quickly final furlong, 10th of 12, 10l behind River Kirov (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Miracle Baby 8-1 (8-12) Chased winner to over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Music Box Express (8-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (6) gd in Sept.
Professor Malone 100-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, settled towards rear, never in contention, 10th of 11, 7l behind Brandywell Boy (8-7) at Kempton 6f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Myriola 33-1 (8-4) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind One More Round (9-4) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
