held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leader, driven to lead inside final furlong, headed closing stages, kept on
dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, never able to challenge
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, ridden out
led, hard driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened
prominent, under pressure over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
dwelt, behind, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
Despite slipping 8lb down the weights last year, Born To Surprise can still boast the highest handicap rating. He drops down in class for his first start since October and will go close if running somewhere near his best. But JUBILEE BRIG has the more recent form with a victory at Kempton and had finished ahead of Capaill Liath, Seek The Fair Land and Kuanyao when runner-up over track and trip before that. He looks the safest bet given Rakaan, though having every chance on these terms, may need a longer trip nowadays.
Capaill Liath (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) In touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon switched right to chase leaders, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Mr David (9-7) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Jubilee Brig 1-2fav (10-0) Tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Kempton 6f clm stks (5) pol beating Pabusar (10-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Rakaan (IRE) Evensfav (9-6) In rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Back Burner (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (5) pol in Jan.
Seek The Fair Land 7-1 (8-12) In touch, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Mr David (9-7) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Kuanyao (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Prominent, led over 3f out, hard driven when headed over 1f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Mr David (9-7) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in Jan.
Mister Musicmaster 5-1 (9-7) In touch, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Compton (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Jackie Love (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Always behind, last of 13, 12l behind Medam (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Jan.
Born To Surprise 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold in rear, headway halfway, soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 42l behind Tinghir (8-13) at Ascot 1m stks 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Buaiteoir (FR) 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out, 11th of 13, 8l behind Prohibition (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Jan.