in touch, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed close home
in rear, pushed along when hampered over 2f out, not a factor
towards rear, pushed along 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
close up, headway over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, driven to lead close home
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch when fell over 2f out
dwelt in rear, hampered and unseated rider over 2f out
keen tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 2f out, headed and short of room over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide and headway to track leaders 8f out, weakened over 2f out, eased
towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon every chance, stayed on
This looks an open contest with Narjes going close here last time while Cafe Milano represents last year’s winning yard and placed over track and trip on his penultimate start. Uther Pendragon is usually in the mix without winning while the likes of Tebay and Laurentia have previous winning form at this level but EL CONQUISTADOR has the most scope. He’s switched yards since beaten a length in a first-time tongue-tie over course and distance last month and Stuart Williams’ new charge is taken to open his account.
Uther Pendragon (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division on inside, headway on inner over 1f out, ridden and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Crimewave (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Torolight 33-1 (11-11) Pressed leader, led before 3 out, soon headed and hung left, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Laurentia (IRE) 17-2 (9-9) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Exmoor Beast (9-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
El Conquistador (USA) 12-1 (9-6) Went right start, held up, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Party Island (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Stormbomber (CAN) 33-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Nicks Not Wonder (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Tebay (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Curtiz (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Goodwood Showman 50-1 (9-4) Held up, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 1l behind Subliminal (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Cafe Milano 13-2 (9-3) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 2f out, soon slightly outpaced, went between horses over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Double Legend (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Dyagilev 9-4fav (10-0) Close up, pushed along over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 6th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Compass Point (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Narjes 5-2 (9-7) Keen close up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon chased winner, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Deleyll (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Famous Dynasty (IRE) 18-1 (8-10) Towards rear, very wide into straight 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Capla Crusader (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.