held up, ridden over 2f out, headway and not much room over 1f out, switched right, ran on
held up towards rear, ridden and switched right over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer
dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous
always prominent., ridden and led final furlong, ran on
led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
with leader, led 3f out, ridden 2 lengths clear 2f out, headed and no extra final furlong
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, edged left final furlong, stayed on
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on, never nearer
steadied start, held up in rear, never a factor
raced keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left final furlong, soon weakened
held up, headway and not much room 2f out, switched left and headway final furlong, badly hamped inside furlong, not recover
chased leader over 5f
The most valuable race ever staged on the all-weather track at Lingfield has drawn a competitive field but Elusive City is the class act in the race and is taken to defy top weight. Gerard Butler's charge was first past the post in a minor event here on his debut as well as in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood last term before being disqualified for running under the influence of a banned substance. However, there was nothing wrong with his top-class effort when landing the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville and ended the year with a close third in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. This looks a perfect opportunity to resume winning ways before a tilt at the French 2,000 Guineas in May. Membership represents an in-form stable but was behind the selection in the Middle Park and this hard-pulling type may struggle to reverse the placings even with an 8lb pull while Littleton Arwen looked good when an easy maiden winner over course and distance in October but this is a tougher assignment. Golden Nun and Fiddlers Reach are both smart turf performers who are entitled to respect while Queens Rhapsody is a rapidly improving handicapper who looks capable of reaching a place in this company.
