held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon under pressure and weakened
led, soon well clear, headed over 3f out, soon lost place, eased over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
raced well in rear, under pressure over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well
chased clear leader, led over 3f out, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on well under pressure
chased leades, effort well over 2f out, weakened final furlong
steadied in rear, pushed along over 5f out, never on terms
ALTERNATIVE CHOICE landed a hat trick before finding only Straversjoy too good over 1m4f at Wolverhampton last time. He has scope for further improvement and his hold-up style of running will help as he tries this longer trip for the first time. Nick Littmoden's charge gets the vote ahead of Tower, who won over 2m at Kempton in October and has been placed in both starts since. Rosewood Lad has been threatening to lose his maiden tag with some better efforts of late and had Judgethemoment well behind at Kempton last month.
Alternative Choice (USA) 9-4fav (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 10, hd behind Straversjoy (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Judgethemoment (USA) 3-1fav (9-12) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, beaten when eased inside final furlong, last of 11, 22l behind Dalhaan (9-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Gandalf 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway on outer 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Coda Agency (9-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Dynamic Rhythm (USA) 13-8fav (9-7) Chased leaders, not much room over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 11l behind Kavachi (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug '06.
Mashdood (USA) 13-2 (9-12) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon hung left, rallied towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Delorain (8-5) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Rare Coincidence 20-1 (9-1) Led, headed 3f out, ridden and raced farside over 2f out, kept on final furlong, held by winner on standside, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Lady Bluesky (10-0) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Tower 9-4fav (9-3) Dropped out start, took keen hold, steady headway from over 4f out, ridden on outside over 2f out, driven and stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Blackmore (9-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Rosewood Lad 11-4fav (9-3) Stumbled 1f and soon behind, headway under pressure over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlonover 3f out, kept on well, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Mister Frosty (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol.
