in touch towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, wide into straight 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, driven to lead inside final furlong, readily
taken to post early, pressed leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
led, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide close up, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong
awkwardly away, in touch, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, kept on same pace
NonRunner
Aegeus ended the summer season with a maiden success at Newcastle and has switched yards subsequently. The Jean Genie’s earlier second at Chelmsford came in a lower grade than this and Wimpole Hall is also upped in class after scoring at the same track. Just The Man struggled in a tougher race at Kempton last time having won over a longer trip at the latter venue before that but SKY DEFENDER finished in front of Michele Strogoff when fourth over course and distance on his first outing since May. Mark Johnston’s colt will be sharper for that pipe-opener and looks to have every chance in a tight contest.
Humbert (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Led after 1f, headed over 4f out, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Entangling (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Just The Man (FR) 7-1 (8-11) Keen towards rear, never on terms, 13th of 14, 10 3/4l behind All Yours (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Michele Strogoff 7-4fav (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra close home, 4th of 6, 3/4l behind International Law (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Sky Defender 13-2 (8-10) Dwelt in rear, wide and pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Universal Gleam (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
The Jean Genie 16-1 (8-9) Taken to post early, keen tracked leader, weakened 2f out, tailed off, last of 13, dist behind Alternative Fact (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Wimpole Hall 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Torochica (9-7) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Sezim 8-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Samphire Coast (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Aegeus (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Raced keenly, led 1f, remained prominent, driven to lead again inside final 2f, ridden 1f out, stayed on when hard pressed throughout final furlong, just held on, won at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Ravenscar (9-0) by hd, 9 ran.