led, headed after 2f, stayed prominent until ridden and weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression until stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led 2f out, pushed out
raced keen tracking leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 3f out
in touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
Not too many of these look to have claims in an uncompetitive event. The likely favourite is the Peter Harris-trained Flight Of Esteem, who only went down by a short head to Nawow (third in a good handicap here this week) over a mile last time (Geoffstar held). However, King Darshaan looks to have the beating of him on a line through the winner there having had Nawow two lengths adrift in fifth when filling third place behind Eloquent Silence at the end of November. By Darshaan out of a Fairy King mare, Peter Hedger's colt should appreciate the step up in trip and looks the value at the forecast odds. Others worthy of a mention include Nick Littmoden's Shingles, who should do better now that he tackles a more suitable trip. A similar comment applies to the Barry Hills-trained Royal Trigger for whom even this trip looks to be on the short side. By Double Trigger he will surely come into his own over middle distances and further. The others make limited appeal.
