held up mid division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace final 2f, not trouble leaders
prominent on outside, ridden and no impression over 1f out, stayed on one pace
pulled hard, soon tracked leader on outside, pressed leader 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, pushed out easily
led, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced by winner
tracked leader on inner, ridden 2f out, effort, no impression over 1f out, kept on well for 3rd
steadied start, held up behind, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, never nearer
steadied start, took keen hold, raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear, struggling well over 1f out
took keen hold in rear, never in contention
held up behind mid division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
Sir Mark Prescott's TORCH OF FREEDOM looks the most likely winner to us here, and is taken ahead of L'Hirondelle and Hucking Hero. The selection is having his first run in England for more than a year after just one outing in Ireland back in the summer. He's the least exposed and looks the improving sort. Placed on both his all-weather runs, this 47 thousand Guineas purchase needs to start repaying connections, and is also entered for a couple of races later in the week, both of which are over slightly further. Hucking Hero is one of three course and distance winners, but the last success was more than a year ago. L'Hirondelle is lightly raced but struggled at anything above a class five. It's a tight little contest, which we think can be won by Torch of Freedom.
Torch of Freedom (IRE) 6-4fav (8-12) Chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead 2f out, ridden and headed under 1f out, no extra, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Striking Force (9-7) at Down Royal 7f stk gf in Jun.
Ocean Legend (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, caught final strides, 2nd of 8, nk behind Harald Bluetooth (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
L'Hirondelle (IRE) 9-2 (8-5) Tracked leaders on inner, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on until headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Harald Bluetooth (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Pegasus Again (USA) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, one pace, 5th of 7, 2l behind Resplendent Nova (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Leonaldo (USA) (9-1) Never a threat behind Pixie's Blue (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m sft in Oct, 18 ran.
Hucking Hero (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, switched right over 1f out, soon under pressure, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Folio (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Napoletano (GER) 8-1 (9-3) Pulled hard in rear, ridden and no impression on leaders over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Pegasus Again (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Dinner Date 6-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway 2f out, switched right to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 9, 3l behind Fancy Footsteps (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Paradise Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up behind, ridden 2f out, brief effort over 1f out, not trouble leaders, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 7l behind Millie's Rock (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Burnbrake 16-1 (8-12) In touch on inside, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on well final 100 yards, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Millfield (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 9l behind Strabinios King (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
