tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, went moderate 4th 2f out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, improved 4f out, hung right and chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, idled inside final furlong, driven to be kept up to its work towards finish
held up, headway over 2f out, soon chased leading pair, ridden and one pace final furlong
keen, held up, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
In the race of the day we respect the chances of the unbeaten Rainbow Peak but with the handicapper looking in charge now we'll side with Godolphin's BLACK EAGLE, who should get back in front now upped in trip again, while Spitfire looks a possible danger if giving his best. Despite being turned over as a short price favourite on his handicap debut last time the pick still shaped well enough to suggest this revised burden is within his scope as well as proving his liking for this surface. He's back up to the distance that he scored over on his second start and might just be better treated than his main rival. That opponent is Rainbow Peak, who boasts a record of three wins from three starts, with the latest coming in a handicap. He's up six pounds for that narrow success and while he should improve again that extra weight might be telling in this line-up. Spitfire has been running some solid races off his current mark but will need to improve for this step up in trip while Alpen Glen needs to show a bit more but is capable on his day. This is a cracking little contest that can give Godolphin another winner with Black Eagle.
Bound By Honour (SAF) 13-2 (9-4) Held up, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 12l behind Kaleo (8-7) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Oct.
Spitfire 11-2 (9-4) Held up, ridden, headway entering final furlong, carried head high, stayed on to take 4th towards finish, 4th of 10, 1l behind Hellbender (8-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Alpen Glen 7-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, raced keenly, hampered 6f out, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 10th of 12, 10l behind Eastern Aria (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.
Black Eagle (IRE) 6-5fav (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, hd behind Wing Play (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct.
Can Can Star 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, slightly hampered over 3f out, soon lost place, 11th of 15, 8l behind Decision (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Our Teddy (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, driven, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Doctor Scott (9-6) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (4) gf in May '07.
Weald Park (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, struggling 3f out, 12th of 14, 19l behind Cape Hawk (9-0) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Rainbow Peak (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Held up, steady headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, driven out, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct beating Dr Livingstone (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
