mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, bumped well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakening when slighty hampered well over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, switched right well over 1f out, led 1f out, quickened clear
held up in rear, effort on inside over 1f out, no extra final furlong
slowly away in rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
Plenty of in-form performers here and narrow preference is for Sri Kuantan ahead of Mr Napoleon and the Ian Woods-trained duo of Fateful Attraction and Meditation. The selection got off the mark at the fifth attempt last time out when landing a maiden. He has some fair performers in behind on that occasion (including the disappointing 75-rated favourite) and may have been let in lightly off this mark of 66. His stable don't send out many at this time of year but the four-year-old needs respect here. Another four-year-old is Stark Contrast who should be rated better than the bare results of his sixth last time, whilst Mr Napoleon is a course and distance winner who needs to be closely watched in the market. King After steps back up in trip today which may well suit, whilst Fateful Attraction and Meditation are both consistent and should run their races. Moonlight Fantasy is yet another who should be ignored at your peril, however it is Sri Kuantan who is taken to continue his progression.
Mr Napoleon (IRE) Evensfav (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, hampered inside final furlong, not recover, 4th of 12, 1l behind Blu Manruna (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Fateful Attraction 14-1 (9-5) In touch, chased winner over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Blu Manruna (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Meditation 9-2 (9-6) Tracked clear leader, progress over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Sun of The Sea (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Sri Kuantan (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, driven to lead over 2f out, hard ridden and strongly challenged approaching final furlong, stayed on well under pressure, won at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol beating Emperor Court (9-3) by a hd, 6 ran.
Lord of Dreams (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Held up, steady headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, wandered final furlong, one pace, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Prince Noel (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Moonlight Fantasy (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-2) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead close home, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Climate (8-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Stark Contrast (USA) 15-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace over 1f out, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Blu Manruna (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
King After 9-2 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, keeping on same pace when edging left final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Samuel Charles (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
