held up in rear, smooth headway and going well 3f out, led well over 1f out, hung right and narrowly headed inside final furlong, rallied to regain lead near finish
in touch, ridden and no impression final 2f
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened and eased final furlong
slowly into stride, took keen hold and held up last, headway on inside when hampered on rail 1f out, switched right and running on when squeezed out final 75 yards
tracked leaders, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, soon hung right under pressure and caught near finish
in touch, pushed along 3f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, held up in rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, weakened and well behind final 2f
tracked leader, hard ridden and every chance when carried right final 100 yards, no extra near finish
Nonrunner
El Tiger has been given a chance by the handicapper ahead of his debut on the all-weather and Barney Curley's gelding would have to be strongly considered if the market was to speak in his favour but lack of experience is of concern and preference is for The Violin Player, who gets the vote ahead of Oakley Absolute. The last mentioned was not beaten far off the same mark as today when last seen over course and distance last month and a recent run, when falling, in a hot novice hurdle at Newbury is probably best ignored. He is entitled to be thereabouts along with Declan Daly's Missatacama, although there is a suspicion that the daughter of Desert Style may be a shade high in the weights at present. Skidmark has given little cause for optimism of late, while Consonant is inconsistent and cannot be backed with any confidence. The vote then goes to The Violin Player, who has held his form well and may be suited by the drop back to 1m2f.
El Tiger (GER) 25-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, weakened over 3f out, hung right and virtually pulled up, last of 13, well behind Zero Tolerance (9-7) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
The Violin Player (USA) 11-2fav (9-4) Behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside last, not reach leaders, 5th of 15, 1l behind Willhego (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Consonant (IRE) 15-2 (9-11) Led early, chased leaders, driven over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 15l behind Heathyards Pride (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Missatacama (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Tracked winner to over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Glencalvie (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Burgundy 8-1 (8-6) Towards rear, some late headway final 2f, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 3l behind Willhego (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Forthright 14-1 (8-13) Held up in mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, one pace and no impression after, 5th of 15, 6l behind Tromp (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Admiral Compton 12-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 4l behind Sir Haydn (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Oakley Absolute 9-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 4l behind Willhego (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
