held up, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
in rear, never on terms
tracked leader 3f, tracked leaders, slipped up inner to lead well over 1f out, 3 lengths clear entering final furlong, eased near finish
mid-division, ridden and no impression from 2f out
dwelt always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on towards finish
always towards rear
in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
very slowly away in rear, never a factor
Russian Ice is usually thereabouts at this level and although Buckland scored over 6f at Wolverhampton last time, he'd gone close over C&D before that and is only 2lb higher today. However, HOMETOWN GLORY posted a better effort over 7f on his latest start and with this longer distance likely to suit, Brian Meehan's charge gets the nod. The once useful Lowther continues to deteriorate but Cathedral, Mister Musicmaster and Officer In Command could make the fame off their current marks.
Russian Ice 9-2 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2l behind Eager To Bow (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Titan Triumph 50-1 (9-2) Switched left start, always in rear, last of 13, 7l behind Schoolmaster (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Hometown Glory 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Restaurateur (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Buckland (IRE) 11-4 (8-10) In rear, headway on inner from over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Appease (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Beauchamp Xerxes 50-1 (9-0) Held up, always behind, last of 9, 22l behind Jack Of Diamonds (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Lowther 25-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 10th of 11, 9l behind Common Touch (9-12) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Mister Musicmaster 10-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Roxelana (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Warfare 7-2 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased leaders entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 6l behind Kingscroft (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Cathedral 9-4fav (9-7) Started slowly, soon in touch on inside, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, no progress, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Hip Hip Hooray (9-2) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Avon River 14-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Trois Vallees (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Relentless Harry (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3l behind Good Luck Charm (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Officer In Command (USA) 10-1 (9-5) Dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Kelpie Blitz (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.