prominent, effort well over 1f out, weakening when short of room inside final furlong, eased
chased leaders, lost place 2f out
steadied start, held up in rear, some late headway, never dangerous
dwelt, always behind
slowly away, always behind
led, hung right under pressure over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway over 1f out, never nearer
held up in rear, some late headway, never nearer
chased leaders, hard driven to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, edged left, ridden out
This looks a tight handicap but it could be significant that NOCTURN is William Buick's only ride of the meeting. Jeremy Noseda's charge hasn't raced since finishing runner-up at Ascot in July but the Windsor winner may well be far enough forward to land this on his comeback. Pick A Little has the more recent form with a win at Kempton, but Temple Road couldn't cope with a 7lb rise last time for an earlier win over track and trip. January's Kempton winner Alnoomas has claims although North Star Boy could prove a bigger threat representing the Hannon team.
Nocturn 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Nassau Storm (9-6) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
North Star Boy (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Hampered start in touch, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 10, 1l behind Muhdiq (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Pick A Little 16-1 (9-7) In rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Paradise Spectre (9-4) by nk, 7 ran.
Emiratesdotcom 10-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never on terms, 6th of 9, 4l behind Clear Praise (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Mar.
Batchelors Star (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, edged left and weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 17l behind Go Dutch (9-5) at Epsom Downs 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Little Garcon (USA) 9-2 (9-5) Held up, ridden and effort when edged right 1f out, no impression, one pace, 7th of 9, 4l behind Clear Praise (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Mar.
Alnoomaas (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Gabbiano (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Temple Road (IRE) 9-2fav (9-10) Steadied start pulled hard, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 11th of 12, 6l behind Jack My Boy (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcap (3) pol in Feb.
Rocket Rob (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, running on when not clear run and switched right inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Royal Bajan (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
The Tichborne (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Aldermoor (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
