tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, stayed on to challenge inside final 2f, soon ridden, led entering final furlong, driven out, in command inside final 100 yards
in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair inside final furlong
tracked leader, lost place when ridden inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, driven to chase leaders on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, well held in 4th final furlong
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, lost place 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, outpaced inside final 100 yards
Game Player remains 9lb higher than when scoring at Newmarket in September though has a recent outing under his belt. Maksab won on the Polytrack here in February but hasn’t threatened subsequently and is hard to catch right while Charles Molson can race off a much lower mark on this surface but hasn’t won on Turf since 2015. DIOCLES OF ROME returns to action having landed a double over 7f at Kempton in November and finding only one too good on the all-weather here on New Year’s Eve. Ralph Beckett’s charge may prove good enough off his current mark on his reappearance. Graphite Storm would prefer some cut and Italian import Pettifogger has yet to win in this country.
Game Player (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Mubtasim (9-7) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Graphite Storm 10-1 (9-12) Raced stands side, held up, ridden and effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 17, 5 1/2l behind Lady Freyja (9-6) at Doncaster 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Maksab (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Glenn Coco (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (3) pol in Apr.
Charles Molson 9-2 (9-5) Dwelt in rear, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Never Back Down (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Diocles Of Rome (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Held up, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ran on, no threat to winner, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Documenting (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Pettifogger (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Led, soon pressed, headed over 1f out, weakened, 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Lion Hearted (9-6) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (4) pol in Apr.