steadied start, took keen hold towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, soon pressed, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
in touch, switched right and effort over 1f out, not quicken, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, lost touch over 2f out, soon behind
led, ridden over 2f out, stayed on gamely until headed just over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong
pulled very hard in rear, headway to chase leading pair 8f out, ridden and effort 2f out, still every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place and in rear over 2f out
steadied start, took keen hold in rear, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous
behind, headway on inner and effort over 1f out, kept on, not reached leaders
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on gamely near finish
mid-division, headway on outer over 1f out, finished well inside final furlong, closed on leaders near finish
steadied start, held up towards rear, good headway over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, pressed winner inside final furlong, every chance close home
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong
A number of these arrive here in good form and we will nominate DISHDASHA to get the better of Can Can Star and Zalkani. Alison Thorpe's 7-year-old won with plenty in hand last time at Great Leighs when he beat Lapina. On the evidence of that run a 6lbs penalty should not be enough to anchor him and he is a confident choice. Can Can Star has been in great form and he lost no caste in defeat when he finished fourth behind Sky Quest at Kempton last time. The race wasn't really run to suit that day so he is a serious contender this afternoon. Zalkani was good value for his winning margin here last time out and he does have a fair strike-rate on the all-weather. He should be thereabouts at the finish, while Rod Millman's Mustajed ran his best race for a little while at Southwell last time. There are plenty in with chances in this, but our preference is for Dishdasha.
Can Can Star 7-2 (9-6) Held up in touch, driven and effort over 1f out, stayed on well, never troubled leaders, 4th of 7, 1l behind Sky Quest (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Mustajed 12-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway over 3f, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Il Grande Ardone (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden and switched right over 1f out, kept on, 8th of 13, 5l behind Valdan (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Cossack Prince 3-1fav (9-5) Led and clear 2f out, hard driven final furlong, held on, all out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct beating Grand Aurora (9-5) by a hd, 11 ran.
Imperial Harry 7-1 (9-10) Prominent, ridden and headway to chase leaders 2f out, chased winner final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Dustoori (9-3) at Bath 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd in Aug '07.
Days of Pleasure (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out, 7th of 8, 22l behind Bridge of Fermoy (9-6) at W'hampton 7f 3yo clm (6) pol in Apr.
Red Wine 16-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, weakened 3f out, last of 8, well behind My Friend Fritz (9-8) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Zalkani (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division of main group, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Colonel Sherman (8-10) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Sunset Boulevard (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders and effort well over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 2l behind Night Orbit (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Little Richard (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Night Orbit (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Dishdasha (IRE) 10-3fav (8-11) Steadied and held up in rear, switched right and headway over 2f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Lapina (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tropical Tradition (IRE) 3-1fav (8-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon rallied, no extra close home, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Sky Quest (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
