dwelt, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, wide into straight 2f out, driven and kept on to take 4th close home
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden 3 lengths clear 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd just inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to go 3rd 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
soon led, headed 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, eased
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
A very competitive end to a decent card and one that can go to DOUBNOV ahead of Brett Vale and Mildoura. Ian Williams has his string in fine fettle at present and this one advertised that when winning a seller in facile fashion at the end of November. Stepping back up to handicap company off a mark of 80 today the gelding has more to do but if that win over course and distance has boosted his confidence there's every chance this rating will prove lenient, particularly if you go back to the horse's form in Nad Al Sheba last year, and with Eddie Ahern a positive booking connections will be more than hopeful. Brett Vale is another who won last time out over two miles at Kempton and a 5lb penalty is of less concern than the drop back in distance. However this improving three-year-old should have the speed to cope and has indeed won over this trip so will doubtless attract plenty of support in search of a follow-up success under Dane O'Neill as will Mildoura who completes our shortlist. The filly won in game fashion last time and whilst a 5lb rise would initially seem more than enough the form of that race stands up under scrutiny with the second placed horse having looked progressive beforehand. It remains to be seen whether the four-year-old will repeat the trick at Lingfield with that success having come at Kempton but there is every reason to expect a similar effort and that would see her take a hand in the finish. Mister New York is arguably unfortunate to have gone up a couple of pounds in defeat and now races off a mark 9lbs higher than when winning here three starts ago. That said, all of the colts wins have come on artificial surfaces and there's no doubt conditions will suit so we expect Noel Chance's runner to have a good go at giving the weight away. Evident Pride is closely matched with the Chance runner at these weights and is another who goes best on the all weather so he'll have his backers whilst Paktolos will be more at home in this company having dropped down in class and may figure at a price. Of the remainder only Follow The Flag makes real appeal but he's been harshly punished for a solid second two starts ago and so this finale looks best left to the last time out winners, from whom Doubnov is selected.
Mister New York (USA) 28-1 (8-7) In rear, ridden, wide and headway entering final 2f, chased winner and hung left inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Dirar (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Evident Pride (USA) 13-2 (9-6) Switched left start, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind King's Salute (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Mildoura (FR) 10-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8 out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) std in Nov beating Mannlichen (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Paktolos (FR) 20-1 (8-9) Slowly away, in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden 4f out, kept on, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 9l behind Lucky Punt (8-9) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Brett Vale (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, driven and headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Moonbeam Dancer (8-1) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Doubnov (FR) 4-1fav (9-6) Raced keenly in mid-division, improved 4f out, headway to lead approaching 2f out, came centre and soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Nov beating Bee Stinger (9-11) by 4l, 15 ran.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Took keen hold, soon tracking leader, led over 6f out, pushed along and headed well over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Just Bond (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Lyra's Daemon 6-1 (8-13) Led 2f, remained prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 10l behind Mildoura (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) std in Nov.
Hurakan (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, kept on final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Poyle Meg (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
