tracked leaders, switched wide 7f out, close up over 5f out, pushed along over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish
close up in rear, pushed along over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on, not reach winner
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish, lost 2nd final strides
close up, tracked leaders over 5f out, pushed along over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
Last year’s winner BANGKOK (NAP) ran into trouble here in December and was caught at the line at Wolverhampton when attempting to make all in a small field. Things should pan out better for him today and Ryan Moore can steer him home with normal luck in-running. The improving Felix beat the selection at Wolverhampton but is 4lb worse off today and third-placed Forest Of Dean may prove a bigger threat with that outing under his belt. Red Verdon is best over further as when winning Pattern races over 1m6f last year while Vintager has won a Group 2 over a mile but has something to prove over today’s trip judged on earlier attempts.
Bangkok (IRE) Evensfav (9-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, hard pressed towards finish, headed post, 2nd of 4, shd behind Felix (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Felix 10-1 (9-1) Held up in last, went 3rd over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, challenged towards finish, led post, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan beating Bangkok (9-4) by shd, 4 ran.
Forest Of Dean 9-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 8f out, ridden 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, held towards finish, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Felix (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Red Verdon (USA) 25-1 (9-13) Pressed leader, left in lead after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded close home, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Make It Rain (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Vintager 7-2 (9-3) Held up in 4th, switched left and effort over 2f out, driven and edged left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 7 3/4l behind Bless Him (9-3) at Newcastle 1m stks (2) pol in Jan.