keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
close up, ridden 2f out, effort and every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, wide into straight 2f out, headway soon after, ridden to lead towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, driven and ran on strongly towards finish, not quite get up
led after 1f, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led 1f, chased leaders after, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, kept on
Nonrunner
The return to a mile is in favour of KING'S COLOUR and can see him resume winning ways. Young Bertie and Shake On It are amongst others to consider. Brett Johnson's charge won his penultimate start in the style of a progressive horse at Great Leighs and it appeared to be the furlong shorter trip rather than the rise in the weights that beat him at Kempton. He's gone up by another couple of pounds and has to prove his ability to act on this track but will be more at home over this distance. Young Bertie made hard work of winning last time but the handicapper hasn't over-reacted to the success and he should be finishing fast and late from what remains a feasible mark. Shake On It is undoubtedly well treated on the pick of his form for old connections and he ran his best race by far for his new handler on his latest start. That bodes well for his chances of taking advantage of his current mark but the vote goes the way of King's Colour.
Sam's Cross (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden when hampered inside final furlong, not able to recover when hampered again soon after, 8th of 12, 5l behind Princely Hero (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Star Strider 9-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Plush (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Kensington (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Soon after start when unseated rider in race won by Cornus (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan, 7 ran.
Tous Les Deux 13-2 (9-1) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up in rear, ran wide into straight, kept on final furlong, not reached leaders, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Trafalgar Square (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Murrin (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
King's Ransom 14-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden along halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 12l behind Mozayada (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Straight And Level (CAN) 12-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 11, 1l behind Young Bertie (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
King's Colour 3-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Marmooq (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Young Bertie 5-1 (8-13) Keen, held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway from over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead post, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec beating Moon Crystal (9-0) by a nk, 11 ran.
Shake On It 16-1 (9-2) Settled in rear, raced keenly, steady headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Herbert Crescent (9-5) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Perfect Act 5-1 (8-8) Pulled hard, in touch, saddle slipped over 6f out, lost place over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 37l behind Teasing (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (4) pol in Jan.
