chased leader to over 4f out, prominent, hard driven over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led for 1f, chased leader, ridden to lead on inside well over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, headed on line
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, strong run under pressure inside final furlong, finished well, post came too soon
stood still as stalls opened, lost all chance, not recover
prominent, chased leader over 4f out until well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led after 1f, already headed when not much room briefly well over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up and always rear
held up in rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, driven and ran on gamely to lead on line
held up, driven and outpaced 2f out, beaten after
In this handicap where a lot of the runners have to over come much higher rating than there last victory the verdict goes the way of BEAT THE BELL with Markab likely to be close along with My Gacho. The pick has been running consistently well over the past few months and recorded back to back wins last month over a slightly shorter trip. He's six pounds heavier than the last of those wins, which still seems competitive on these terms and will receive weight from his nearest rival. That rival appears to be Markab, who is dealing with a seven pound rise off his last win, which came on his penultimate start. That was over course and distance from which the form has taken several knocks and he'll have to find further improvement from his last race when posting silver again over course and distance. My Gacho is another suffering from a seven pound rise from the last time he got his head in front. The form at least stands up with the second going on to win but he seemed to struggle off a rating a pound lower than this last time so he may need a reprieve before scoring again. With his relatively low weight Decameron could also be a danger but Beat The Bell seems the best treated here.
Ebraam (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on but no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 5l behind Atlantic Story (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcap (2) pol in Nov.
Markab 13-2 (9-0) Led until headed inside final furlong, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Atlantic Story (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcap (2) pol in Nov.
Whistledownwind 16-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 18, 8l behind Lucky Dance (8-6) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Nov.
Capricorn Run (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Started slowly, towards rear, headway inside final 2 furlongs, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 8th of 14, 7l behind Mac Love (9-2) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Beat The Bell 10-1 (8-5) Behind in touch, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 10, 3l behind Atlantic Story (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcap (2) pol in Nov.
My Gacho (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) In touch on outer, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on again final furlong but never dangerous, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcap (2) pol in Nov.
Bellomi (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up towards rear, some headway 2f out, never nearer, 8th of 12, 9l behind Resplendent Nova (8-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Bazroy (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Steadied start, held up behind, headway and not much room over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra final 50 yards, 5th of 8, 1l behind Gallantry (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Decameron (USA) 7-2 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Albaqaa (8-5) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.