slowly into stride, soon struggling in rear
tracked leaders, ridden and slightly hampered 1f out, faded
keen, mid-division, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home
towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on from over 1f to take 2nd post
towards rear, headway over 1f out, not reach leaders
led, ridden 2f out, weakened and headed inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, every chance final furlong, faded
soon tracking leaders, every chance inside final furlong, faded
held up mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, not clear run throughout final furlong, unlucky
tracked leader and keen, ridden over 1f out, no impression
in touch, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, kept on well to lead close home
In a competitive race, Perfect Story gets the verdict ahead of Prince Tum Tum and Red Romeo. Prince Tum Tum still retains plenty of ability (he was rated in the 100s on Turf during the summer) and cannot be ruled out of a good run. Red Romeo is probably better at today's trip than the mile he was beaten a short head over from a pound lower mark last time, and is respected. A four-pounds rise for his course and distance win last time might not stop Chief Exec, while Cornus's autumn Turf form would certainly bring him into it. Being rated three pounds below his course and distance win of December 2004, Binanti can be given a chance, while Perfect Story took a while to warm to the theme over six furlongs last time and the seventh could bring improvement today. The handicapper has now given Who's Winning a chance, while Ever Cheerful comes here in good heart. Overall, for us the others have a little to find, which returns us to the tentative selection, which is Perfect Story.
Prince Tum Tum (USA) 7-2 (8-10) Outpaced, headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Les Arcs (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Red Romeo 15-2 (8-4) Keen hold, prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 11l behind Red Spell (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Chief Exec 8-1 (9-4) Held up, headway and switched over 1f out, led inside last, held on well, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (4) pol beating Marko Jadeo (8-11) by a hd, 11 ran.
Outer Hebrides 8-1 (9-1) Towards rear, hampered soon after start, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 8l behind Wahoo Sam (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Cornus 8-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Pinchbeck (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Binanti 9-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 13, 9l behind Bravo Maestro (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Perfect Story (IRE) 6-1 (8-1) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 4l behind Les Arcs (8-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Who's Winning (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden on outside over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 5l behind Moayed (9-11) at Lingfield 6f stk (2) pol.
Ali Bruce 7-2fav (9-2) Pulled hard, chased leaders 5f, 11th of 17, 11l behind Conjuror (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Ever Cheerful 12-1 (9-5) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on well to take 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Silent Storm (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Hayyani (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Started slowly, in rear, moderate headway inside final 2f, never nearer, 9th of 12, 5l behind Silent Storm (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
