tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, ridden and hanging left from 1f out, led inside, kept on
towards rear, never a factor
towards rear, ridden and some late progress
mid-division on outside, ridden 2f out, no impression
dwelt, soon tracking leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on to chase leaders final furlong
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden when headed inside final furlong, one pace
mid-division and keen, headway 3f out, chasing leaders when switched right inside final furlong, kept on to chase winner, no impression
led, headed 4f out, weakened 2f out
never a factor
mid-division, effort over 1f out, switched right soon after, no impression
towards, rear, ridden 2f out, hung left and some late progress
Cusoon is a horse on the up but will have to shoulder a 6lb hike in the weights for his latest victory if he is to go in again, so the tentative nod goes to Stargazer Jim ahead of Activo and Solo Flight. This is a competitive handicap and the selection represents a yard in fine form this winter on the all-weather. Stargazer Jim won in authoritative fashion over course and distance five starts ago, and although he has risen in the weights since then he can go well today, especially under a power-packed ride from Tony Culhane. Activo has a tendency to not settle in his races and this could again be a problem in a tough race, although we know that he acts over this course and distance. Cusoon has been in fine fettle since his switch to the all-weather, and judging by the manner of his win last time out, he could well be up to defying his rise in the weights. Of the rest, James Caird is undoubtedly talented but is arguably better over a mile and the same can be said for Vicious Warrior and Atlantic Quest. One of only two three year-olds in the lineup, Grand Jour drops back to a more realistic level after ambitious tilts at Listed and Group prizes earlier in the year, although again the gelding appears to be better over a shorter trip. Overall then, Stargazer Jim has ticks in all the right boxes and so he gets the tentative vote.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) In touch until weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Ofaraby (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct '05.
Cusoon 14-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung left, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov beating King of Argos (9-2) by 2l, 12 ran.
Aunty Euro (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 33l behind Bahar Shumaal (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct.
James Caird (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon beaten, 16th of 20, 14l behind Fairmile (8-12) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Solo Flight 9-2 (9-6) Held up, headway 2f out, led approaching final furlong, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov beating Activo (9-6) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Activo (FR) 7-2 (8-11) Held up in 7th, headway to track leaders over 1f out, driven and found no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Alpine Reel (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Atlantic Quest (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Daring Affair (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Vicious Warrior 33-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Army of Angels (9-9) at York 1m hcap (2) sft in Oct.
Stargazer Jim (FR) 4-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, edged left well inside final furlong, ran on, 4th of 10, 2l behind Daring Affair (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Watamu (IRE) 2-1fav (9-6) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Sky Quest (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (C) gd in Aug '04.
Grand Jour (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) Chased leaders until weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 14l behind Bomber Command (8-9) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Kylkenny 20-1 (8-7) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Velvet Heights (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Consonant (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, behind 2f out when brought down in race won by Kildare Sun (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov, 13 ran.
Awatuki (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader, unable to handle track, stayed far side in straight and weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 12l behind Resonate (9-1) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Aug.
