set steady pace, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
raced wide tracked leader, pushed along to press leader 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
steadied start, in touch in rear, switched wide over 3f out, very wide into straight 2f out, ridden and ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, won going away
keen close up, pushed along and wide into straight 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, close up, pushed along and slightly outpaced over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
raced wide, in touch, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, soon every chance, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on
Several ended last year with placed efforts including Marion's Boy, who was beaten only a neck over track and trip. Obsidian Knight was beaten the same distance at Wolverhampton while both Red Flyer and Aced It found only one too good at Kempton and the latter drops back down a grade. But BARENBOIM may edge a close contest as he’s now won three of only five starts since joining David O’Meara’s yard and still won with plenty in hand at Kempton last time, despite his rider dropping a rein.
Red Flyer (IRE) 9-1 (10-1) Off the pace towards rear, headway between horses over 2f out, ran on well towards finish, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Sooghan (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Aced It (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, switched right and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd last stride, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Ziggy (9-12) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Barenboim 15-8jfav (9-10) Held up in rear, headway when not much room 2f out, soon switched right, led entering final furlong, ran on well, comfortably, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Junkanoo (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Pistoletto (USA) 3-1 (10-0) Held up in 6th, headway tracking leaders not clear run briefly over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Capital Theory (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Sword Beach (IRE) 40-1 (9-13) Keen in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 14 1/4l behind Saratoga Gold (10-2) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Marion's Boy (IRE) 10-3 (9-8) Held up in 4th,switched left and headway on inside tracking leaders over 1f out, soon switched right, went 2nd final 100 yards, stayed on strongly towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Tudor (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Obsidian Knight (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Held up towards rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, ran on, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Queen Of Ipanema (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
