tracked leaders, ridden to lead just over 1f out, clear final furlong, driven out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong but not trouble leaders
led until headed just over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, kept on well for 2nd
in touch to over 2f out, gradually weakened
steadied start, held up behind, not clear run over 1f out, again entering final furlong, switched right but no chance afterwards
towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
raced keenly in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leader, ridden and effort 2f out, soon lost 2nd, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, soon ridden along and outpaced in rear, never a factor
CEREMONIAL JADE heads the short-list in preference to Prohibit and we'll take a chance in awarding the final slot to Swiss Franc ahead of Chief Editor and War Officer. Ceremonial Jade's chance is there for all to see as Marco Botti has campaigned the gelding with great skill to land six of his thirteen all-weather starts. Three of those wins have been at this track, including one over course and distance and he seems certain to be in the firing line. Chief Editor is rated his equal by the handicapper and has done well since joining the Kremlin House team and is capable of improving upon his latest performance. He is drawn widest of all but is often held up so may not be unduly inconvenienced. War Officer has the highest official rating but is having his first run on these shores for his new connections; he travelled well in the Jersey Stakes back in June and clearly has a touch of class. Prohibit returned from an absence to win at Great Leighs from an in-form and progressive rival. This is a step up but his form at the start of the year suggested that he could make up into a performer at this level and he shouldn't be underestimated. Swiss Franc has presumably had his problems this term but he was a decent juvenile at his best and should be suited to racing on this surface. It's interesting to see his in-form trainer bringing him out at this stage of the season and he could be of interest at a price but we're going to side with the obvious claims of Ceremonial Jade.
Duff (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Raced stand side, led that group until no extra inisde final fulong, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Stimulation (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led 1f out, ran on well, won at Great Leighs 6f stk (2) pol in Sept beating Asset (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Maltese Falcon 14-1 (9-4) Pressed leader, led over 3f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 13l behind Benllech (8-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Philario (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 14th of 17, 24l behind Icelandic (9-3) at Doncaster 6f lst stk (1) sft.
Prohibit 12-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway to lead approaching final furlong, soon edged right, ridden out, won at Great Leighs 6f stk (3) pol in Oct beating Diriculous (9-1) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Smarten Die (IRE) (9-8) In rear, 8th straight, never a factor, 5th of 9, 13l behind Kung Hei (8-5) at Mulheim 6f hcp sft in Oct.
Swiss Franc 5-2 (8-10) Held up 5th on outer, ridden over 2f out, no impression and outpaced over 1f out, 6th of 9, 9l behind Edge Closer (9-4) at Salisbury 6f lst stk (1) gd in Jun.
How's She Cuttin' (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Made all, driven clear approaching final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs beating Luscivious (8-6) by 3l, 12 ran.
Salsa Steps (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Keen, mid-division, ridden 3f out, held when hung right over 1f out, 10th of 16, 11l behind Meydan Princess (8-10) at Ascot 7f lst fll stk (1) gd in Sept.
War Officer (USA) (9-4) Close up until led over 2f out, just held on, won at Chantilly 5f lst stk (1) gd in Jul beating Jane Blue (8-11) by a shd, 7 ran.
Bonus (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) Always in rear, never dangerous final 2f, 8th of 10, 7l behind Confuchias (9-4) at Kempton 7f stk (3) std.
Chief Editor 5-1 (9-3) Prominent, outpaced 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Icelandic (9-3) at Doncaster 6f lst stk (1) sft.
