steadied start, held up in mid-division, shaken up on inside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leader, led halfway, driven over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken final 100 yards
held up in mid-division, headway going well on inside to track leader over 1f out, ridden to lead final 100 yards, ran on well, eased near finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, never a factor
steadied start, took keen hold, held up in rear, ran wide into straight, kept on final furlong, not reached leaders
chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders on inner, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge
pulled hard in mid-division, ridden 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong
took keen hold, held up in rear, never a factor
took keen hold, held up in rear, keept on one pace when not clear run well inside final furlong
held up and always in rear
A very competitive seven furlong handicap in which narrow preference is for STRABINIOS KING over Royal Island and I Confess. Michael Wigham's gelding is now rated 70, his highest mark to date. He was raised by 4lbs for a recent third at Wolverhampton but he still looks to be competitive off this mark and if supported in the betting all signs would point to a prominent showing. Everybody Knows and The Cayterers both continue to put in consistently good runs and neither can be discounted despite racing off a mark of 75, whilst Trafalgar Square and I Confess both know how to win at the track. Miss Mujanna looks fairly treated on the pick of her runs, whilst horses such as Tous Les Deux and Princess Anne also have course wins to their names. Recent winner Royal Island sneaks in off bottom weight and given the authority of his Wolverhampton win last time he must be rated a big threat (dangerously well-handicapped on old form), however it is Strabinios King who gets the tentative vote.
The Cayterers 10-1 (8-3) In touch, keen, kept on from over 1f out, hung right, 4th of 7, 2l behind Resplendent Nova (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Everybody Knows 10-1 (9-5) Led, was ridden and headed over 2f, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 8l behind Silver Hotspur (9-5) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
I Confess 6-4fav (8-11) Disputed lead, led over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Southandwest (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Trafalgar Square 5-1 (8-7) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 2l behind Red Somerset (9-5) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Miss Mujanna 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2f out, stayed on, not trouble leaders, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Southandwest (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Cornus 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 5l behind Southandwest (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Tous Les Deux 16-1 (8-6) Led at steady pace, increased tempo approaching halfway, ridden and headed entering final furlong, not pace of winner but held on well to go 2nd, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Titan Triumph (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Super Frank (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened quickly, 9th of 10, 13l behind Southandwest (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Strabinios King 6-1 (9-0) Not much room start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Balata (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Princess Rose Anne (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Raced keenly in touch on inner, ridden and not clear run from well over 1f out, no impression on leaders final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Pegasus Again (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Shakespeare's Son 10-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and brief effort 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 11th of 12, 6l behind Musical Script (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Royal Envoy (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Steadied start, very keen in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression and outpaced over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Tuxedo (8-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Royal Island (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Held up, headway on outer over 2f out, quickened to take clear lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Gramm (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
