taken to post early, slow into stride headway to press winner after 2f, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 4f out, tracked leaders, ridden to chase clear winner over 1f out, one pace and just held on to 2nd
slow into stride towards rear, never near leaders
raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
headway to lead over 4f out, ridden 2 length clear over 1f out, ran on
steadied start towards rear, plenty to do 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on strongly, not reach leaders
hampered start and dropped to rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never nearer
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
The admirable veteran DESERT STRIKE remains on a winning mark despite carrying a penalty for last week’s course and distance victory – his 24th success on an artificial surface. Approaching the record for wins on the all-weather, he can creep even closer by landing this. Chelmsford winner Last Star Falling was beaten off today’s mark recently and Bridge Builder has failed to threaten since scoring at Kempton in April. New Rich won off a similar mark here early this year but Pharoh Jake is better over 5f nowadays.
Desert Strike 9-2 (9-7) Taken to post early, made most, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Burauq (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Valmina 12-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Saleh (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Colourbearer (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Bold (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Sehayli (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Slowly away, towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Saleh (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Last Star Falling (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway on outside well over 1f out, never on terms, 9th of 12, 4l behind Vincenzo Coccotti (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Triple Dream 25-1 (9-6) Raced wide, close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Billyoakes (9-6) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Bridge Builder 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Swiss Cross (9-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
New Rich 8-1 (9-4) In rear, ridden and kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Billyoakes (9-6) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Firesnake (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 7th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Coquine (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Pharoh Jake 14-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader until halfway, chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Swiss Cross (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Royal Rettie 20-1 (9-2) Pushed along and struggling over 2f out, always towards rear, 8th of 9, 12 1/2l behind He's My Boy (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Tavener 8-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Poppy In The Wind (9-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
