chased leader over 9f out, pressed leader and every chance 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
led, quickened over 2f out, pressed 1f out, stayed on under pressure, caught final strides
raced keenly on outside, in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, soon tailed off
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place, weakened, tailed off final 2f
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
tracked leader to over 9f out, stayed mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not quite pace to challenge
steadied start, keen in rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on steadily inside final furlong, quicken to lead final strides
Millville, Grande Caiman and Celtic Spirit all rate highly whilst Young Mick and Big Robert are not without claims but it may be worth taking a chance with PAKTOLOS. Millville won this race last year and warmed up for a repeat at Wolverhampton but that leaves the nine year old on an 8lb higher mark for that success and that could make the difference. Grande Caiman's course record reads five wins and a second from six starts so it would be folly to leave him out of calculations even though this will require a career best following another hike for his win at Great Leighs. He had Celtic Spirit back in second on that occasion and that one would appear to be the Moore first string although Maxwill is certainly entitled to his place in the line-up. Young Mick enjoyed little luck on occasion on grass and could suffer in the closing stages once again whilst Big Robert may not be suited by this track. The selection certainly is as he has made the frame on all three visits here and remains unexposed. He has a bit of a mixed record but ran on strongly to score at Kempton in November and seems to go well with a bit of time between his races. A 4lb rise is far from insurmountable, he should be finishing fast and late and Paktolos may be able to get to the line in time.
Millville 6-1 (10-1) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on under pressure, edging right and led well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov beating Tilt (8-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Grande Caiman (IRE) 11-4 (10-0) Keen, tracked leader, led 4f out, driven and hung left from 2f out, battled on gamely inside final furlong, won at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec beating Celtic Spirit (9-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Young Mick 10-1 (9-6) Raced on outer and took keen hold behind, ridden over 3f out, lost place and in rear over 2f out, last of 11, 19l behind Dansant (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Celtic Spirit (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Close up, chased winner 4f out, ridden over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Grande Caiman (10-0) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Group Captain 25-1 (9-0) Towards rear, switched left and headway over 2f, weakened final furlong, 8th of 21, 15l behind Tropical Strait (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in Nov.
Paktolos (FR) 20-1 (9-10) Steadied start, held up behind, plenty to do 2f out, good headway on outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Nov beating Scarab (8-6) by 1l, 10 ran.
Pevensey (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Prominent, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on well to take 2nd final strides, 2nd of 19, nk behind Night Crescendo (8-11) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Evident Pride (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, outpaced from 2f out, 7th of 10, 7l behind Internationaldebut (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Big Robert 4-1 (9-5) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Suits Me (9-10) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Maxwil 8-1 (9-5) Steadied start, behind, kept on from 2f out but not troubled leaders, 6th of 10, 7l behind Swinging Sixties (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jun.
