held up in rear, sustained run on wide outside from over 1f out, strong run to lead near finish
started very slowly, behind, headway to mid-division halfway, chased leaders 3f out, effort on inside and ridden to chase leader over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, driven along 2f out, hanging badly left and weakened over 1f out
dwelt, soon close up, led approaching 2f out, over 1 length clear inside final furlong, ran on until headed near finish
in touch on outside, pushed along well over 1f out, soon hanging left and weakened
led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, weakened final 1f
took keen hold, held up and always in rear
towards rear, some headway on inside well over 1f out, never a factor
switched left from wide draw, held up and always in rear
Sadeek and King's Icon both figure prominently in calculations with their yards in fine form but it may be worth taking a chance with FINE RULER. The selection has a rather disappointing record at this track with just one placed run to his name from eight attempts but he was only just over two lengths behind the progressive Wunder Strike on the most recent of them. He's on a decent mark and is capable of going close if the gaps appear from off the pace. The market may be a useful guide to the claims of King's Icon who had run up a frustrating sequence of seconds at Wolverhampton when last seen in action. He's on a decent mark and has claims. Sadeek hasn't shaped too badly on his two all-weather starts at Wolverhampton and Kempton and Brian Smart is in such good form that this well handicapped, but frustrating gelding, can't be left off the short-list. Sotik Star is a dual course and distance winner from higher marks but lacks a run whilst connections are finding it difficult to persuade Charlie Smirke to put his head in front so we'll take a chance with Fine Ruler.
Expensive Problem 25-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, held up, some late headway, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Prince Of Thebes (9-0) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Sadeek 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Moojeh (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Sotik Star (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, mid-division, not clear run over 3f out, going well over 2f out, switched left and headway well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Aug beating Atacama Sunrise (9-2) by nk, 11 ran.
Spinning Ridge (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hard ridden, headed post, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Shake On It (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Straight And Level (CAN) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Hereford Boy (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Charlie Smirke (USA) 13-2 (8-8) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, hd behind Jeer (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
King's Icon (IRE) 5-2fav (8-5) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 12, shd behind Obe Brave (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Very Well Red 14-1 (9-2) Led early, chased leaders, regained lead 2f out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol beating Party In The Park (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Held up, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Wunder Strike (8-12) at Lingfield 1m handicap (0-68) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Too Grand 33-1 (9-1) Held up, never dangerous, last of 13, 13l behind Turkish Sultan (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Riviera Red (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 9l behind Musashi (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
