pressed leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on one pace
keen close up, headway to lead just inside final furlong, ridden and just held on
held up in rear, headway on outer over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, just failed
tracked leading trio, ridden 3f out, badly hampered approaching 2f out, soon eased
close up, ridden over 3f out, carried left and short of room approaching 2f out, not a danger after
keen raced wide prominent, pushed along over 3f out, edged left approaching 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, short of room and clipped heels approaching 2f out and unseated rider
This looks a really cracking contest with License To Till, in fine form at the end of last season, making his reappearance under top weight. However, he'll certainly need to be ready to roll first time up with some in-form sorts in opposition. Junoob has really taken to this surface and only narrowly failed to land a Listed event behind another of today's runners, Tinshu, before hacking up in a small conditions event. Tom Dascombe is understandably trying to make hay during the winter and he is taken to reverse placings here on advantageous terms. Emerald Wilderness has scored here the last twice and seems sure to get in the shake-up again although the handicapper seems likely to have his say sometime soon. Tinshu can still not be ruled out in his current form whilst Sunset Kitty has come back from a break dating back to midsummer in fine form.
Licence To Till (USA) 5-1 (9-6) Mid-division, driven halfway, came stand side over 4f out, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, hard ridden and strongly challenged inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at York 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct beating Jo'burg (9-4) by hd, 16 ran.
Junoob 3-10fav (8-12) Chased leaders, smooth headway to lead over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 4f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol beating Layline (9-7) by 3l, 4 ran.
Emerald Wilderness (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, smooth headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Follow The Flag (8-7) by 1l, 13 ran.
Tinshu (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 13, 3l behind Emerald Wilderness (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Sunset Kitty (USA) 11-4fav (9-6) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Shifting Star (9-5) by shd, 9 ran.
Greyfriarschorista 4-6fav (9-8) Held up, some headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on one pace, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 7l behind Il Battista (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Dec.
Zacynthus (IRE) 22-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, some headway over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Mull Of Killough (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol.
Emma's Gift (IRE) 11-4 (9-4) Went left start, held up in last pair, good headway over 3f out, not clearest of runs when switched left to outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Daring Indian (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
