dwelt held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, led over 7f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace
dwelt, keen close up, headway to lead entering final furlong, soon headed, rallied towards finish
in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
led, headed over 7f out, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
in rear, outpaced over 5f out, detached
Jockey bookings suggest Desert Skies is preferred to the other Godolphin runner, Hawker, despite the latter having the better form. Charlie Appleby's charge found only one too good over track and trip last time. Red Warrior and Number One London have had plenty of chances and VERMONT is becoming a little frustrating. A beaten favourite on his last three outings, the latter still has the best form on offer and Luca Cumani's charge gets one more chance having his first start on the Polytrack.
Hawker 10-1 (9-5) Led, hung right on 1st turn and headed 8f out, chased leader, led again 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Squire Osbaldeston (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Number One London (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no extra in closing stages, 8th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Gworn (8-11) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Red Warrior (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway on inside over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on in closing stages, always just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Modernism (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Vermont (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Soon mid-division on outside, closed 6f out, ridden 2f out, no extra and lost 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Sensiz (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Oct.
Ballyshonagh 66-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 36l behind Speckled (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f sks (5) pol in Sep.
Desert Skies (IRE) 4-5fav (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Triple Chocolate (9-5) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Puteri Kash 25-1 (9-0) Outpaced towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 8th of 10, 31l behind Desert Wings (9-5) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.