led until over 8f out, chased leader until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leader, led over 8f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace and no impression, lost 2nd post
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, went 2nd briefly and edged left over 1f out, chased leaders until weakened inside final furlong, lost 2 places towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
took keen hold, held up off the pace in last trio, headway on outside 2f out, challenged and hung left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden clear, ran on well
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, went 5th towards finish, never going pace to challenge
held up towards rear, making headway when badly hampered on rail well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd post, no chance with winner
steadied reared and went left start, held up last, ridden outpaced and struggling over 3f out
This is a real puzzle as the leading contenders have been taking it turns to beat each other in similar events this winter. Emerald Wilderness beat Tinshu in last year's renewal and finished ahead of her again when second here last month with Mawaakef and BE PERFECT not far behind. He should go close again but Marco Botti's colt gets the tentative vote to reverse running as he likes to race prominently and should avoid any potential trouble in-running. Tinshu beat Robin Hoods Bay and Nazreef over track and trip in November while Strictly Silver finished just ahead of Mia's Boy when third over a mile here last month.
Nazreef 8-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out to chase leaders, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 17l behind George Guru (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Emerald Wilderness (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leading pair, ridden and effort on inside when not much room and hampered 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Loyalty (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Tinshu (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, switched right and effort over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on and every chance final 50 yards, just held, 4th of 11, 3/4l behind True To Form (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Dec.
Mia's Boy 9-2 (8-12) Held up 5th and last, driven to chase leading trio over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 5, 1 1/4l behind Lockantanks (8-12) at Lingfield 1m stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Dec.
Be Perfect (USA) 5-2fav (9-0) Led, driven and wide entering straight, ridden over 1f out, kept on when hard pressed towards finish, headed and dropped to 3rd final strides, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind True To Form (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Dec.
Robin Hoods Bay 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, headway and effort when switched towards inside rail 1f out, chased winner when not clear run and switched right inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Loyalty (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Mawaakef (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair in touch, switched outside and headway 3f out, challenged over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no extra in 4th final 50 yards, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Loyalty (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Strictly Silver (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind Lockantanks (8-12) at Lingfield 1m stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Dec.
Teshali (IRE) (9-8) won at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 2f app awt sft in Nov '09 beating Akarlina (9-1) by 8l, 13 ran.
