led early, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
reared start and slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headway inside final furlong, kept on one pace
in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression and lost 2nd final strides
towards rear, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to go 2nd final strides, no threat to winner
soon led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon weakened
held up, headway on inner 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden and ran on (course record)
slowly away raced wide in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
raced wide close up, ridden when ran wide into straight 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and no impression 2f out, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden when weakened over 1f out
The progressive FOREST EDGE is one of the more obvious candidates as he bids for a four-timer. He scored with a bit in hand when beating Addictive Dream, Ubetterbegood, Alben Star and Ajjaadd over 5f here a fortnight ago and gets a tentative vote ahead of Lancelot Du Lac. The latter is another leading contender on his recent win in this grade at Kempton. All-weather debutant Hoof It and Hawkeyethenoo have both won the Stewards' Cup and remain smart sprinters on their day, but recent Wolverhampton winner Shafaani looks up against it in this much better company.
Hoof It 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leader stand side, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 18, 3l behind Jack Dexter (9-9) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.
Ballista (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) Led, soon pressed, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 11, 13l behind Valbchek (9-2) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Forest Edge (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) won at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol beating Addictive Dream (9-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Lancelot Du Lac (ITY) 5-4fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, led 1f out, kept on well, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov beating Picture Dealer (8-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Hawkeyethenoo (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) In rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Valbchek (9-2) at Lingfield 6f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Addictive Dream (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) 2nd of 10, 1l behind Forest Edge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol.
Tarooq (USA) 4-1 (9-10) Soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no impression on leaders, 5th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Loyalty (8-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Ajjaadd (USA) 6-1 (9-0) 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Forest Edge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol.
Ubetterbegood (ARG) 12-1 (8-13) 4th of 10, 2l behind Forest Edge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol.
Alben Star (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) 5th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Forest Edge (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol.
Shafaani 12-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Waking Warrior (9-2) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Equitania 8-1 (9-2) With leader, ridden inside final 2f, kept on and every chance final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, hd behind Bedloe's Island (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.