close up, headway to chase winner over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong
made all, ridden clear entering final furlong, eased towards finish
tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leading pair until ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
pushed along in rear, ridden halfway, kept on inside final furlong, never a factor
STATE OF THE UNION is making his Polytrack debut and having his first run since July but should be making short work of these if anywhere near the form which saw him run well in handicaps at Beverley and Nottingham in May. Essaka's form, along with that of his stable, appears to have tailed off and he has to give the selection 4lb while Diminutive usually finds at least one too good. It's hard to fancy either Vinamar or To The Victor on these terms.
Essaka (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Off the pace and always towards rear, 9th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Lucky Di (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
State Of The Union (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Always towards rear, 6th of 7, 11 3/4l behind I'll Be Good (9-8) at Carlisle 5f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Diminutive (IRE) 11-4fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Roring Samson (9-3) at Ffos Las 5f hcp (6) gs in Sep.
To The Victor (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) Started slowly, outpaced, 12th of 16, 15l behind Spirit Of Rosanna (9-0) at Brighton 6f hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Vinamar (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, 13th of 16, 15 1/4l behind Spirit Of Rosanna (9-0) at Brighton 6f hcp (6) gs in Oct.