raced wide, held up but not far away, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
broke well, keen, disputed 2nd, pushed along to challenge leader inside final furlong, cajoled to lead post
held up, not far away, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up, not far away, ridden over 2f out, edged left and kept on same pace inside final furlong
disputed 2nd until ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
At the weights Saphira's Fire looks to have a real chance of opening her seasonal account but we prefer the claims of TRANQUIL TIGER here. Henry Cecil's horse has something of an in-and-out profile and has never won back-to-back races but his last time out victory over Presvis was arguably a career best, even allowing for that one not being one hundred percent fit, and so we fancy the five-year-old to go in again here with the extra two furlongs no problem whatsoever. Tom Queally's mount has won five races in this class and really is a rock solid proposition for the grade so Saphira's Fire may have her work cut out despite receiving plenty of weight. Willy Muir's filly is admirably consistent and wasn't beaten far in a Group Two in October, form which would give her every chance of landing this. However the feeling is that she is a horse who will run a solid race in the face of any task but may not necessarily be up to winning here despite her obvious credentials and in Tranquil Tiger she is perhaps unfortunate to bump in to one so classy for the grade. Nevertheless she will doubtless make a race of it and may appeal most to those who are looking to take on the likely favourite. It is difficult to look beyond the two mentioned especially as Plum Pudding, third best on official ratings, has never raced over this far in some 46 career starts and indeed has done most of his winning at seven furlongs. With that in mind the best of the rest may be Sky Crusader who is something of an all weather specialist in his native France and ran well at Kempton in a better race than this on his penultimate start, although again this trip may be a furlong or two too far. Settigano is yet another for whom the trip is a doubt but this Saddler's Wells gelding is at least in good form whilst Suits Me has proved to be a solid performer in this grade and may get the run of the race but both look to be up against it here with Tranquil Tiger a confident choice.
Sky Crusader (8-12) won at Deauville(FR) 1m 1f 3yo Listed stks beating Eire (8-9) by 2l, 18 ran.
Tranquil Tiger 11-2 (9-4) Held up mid-division, improved to 3rd over 3f out, led approaching 2f out and stole a march on rivals, soon clear, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f listed stks (1) pol in Nov beating Presvis (9-10) by 3l, 9 ran.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Raced wide early, headway to join leader half way, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 19l behind Without A Prayer (9-4) at Kempton 1m listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Settigano (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged and led 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m stks pol in Nov beating Six of Hearts (9-6) by 1l, 8 ran.
Suits Me 10-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Saphira's Fire (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway on inside from over 2f out, ridden to press winner over 1f out until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Les Fazzani (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Rock Ascot (URU) 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, 6th of 7, well behind Bab Al Salam (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Baylini 20-1 (8-12) With leader until tracked leaders 8f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 6l behind Bound By Honour (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
