held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear
prominent, soon led, headed over 4f out, ridden 3f out, one pace
tracked leaders, bumped after 2f, shaken up after 4f out, chased winner well inside final furlong, kept on
led, soon headed, edged right after 2f, led again after 4f out, hard ridden when headed inside final furlong, faded
Jack Sullivan gets the confident vote here with Chicken Soup and Councellor rating the main dangers. The selection would be worse off with all his rivals if this were a handicap has conditions to suit and with the race also looking sure to be run in his favour he is hard to oppose. Chicken Soup rates the main danger on his latest third behind Bonus but his overall profile still leaves him with a little to find. Councellor is another that could go well on his best form but he was behind Chicken Soup last time and on the same terms here there is no reason why he should gain his revenge. Of the remainder Evens And Odds hails from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Jack Sullivan who looks to have plenty in hand.
Jack Sullivan (USA) (9-0) Never in contention, 12th of 16, well behind Vermillion (9-0) at Tokyo 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) std in Nov.
Chicken Soup 8-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong nearest finish, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bonus (9-2) at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Raptor (GER) 11-2 (9-2) Held up, headway to go second over 1f out, no chance with winner and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Ventura (8-9) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Evens And Odds (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leader until 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Fajr (9-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Joe Rich Piccolo gelding, half-brother to winning hurdlers Lord Fernando and Breezer.
Councellor (FR) 8-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on well for 3rd, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Bonus (9-2) at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol.