tracked leader, led 3f out, kept on well until headed well inside final furlong, no extra
held up mid-division, steady headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
mid-division, short of room inside final 2f, switched right, ran on final furlong
prominent, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, pushed out readily
started slowly, always behind, wide into straight, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard behind, good headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, nearest finish
soon led, ridden, headed 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
raced wide behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on but never dangerous
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on, no extra 1f out, one pace
held up behind, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f
The shortlist contains Dr Thong, Binanti and Waterside, with the vote going to Dr Thong. Dr Thong looked an improved performer when scoring over course and distance on his all-weather debut last time out and a mark of 79 still seems fair for him so he gets the vote. Well-in on his Wolverhampton win of 2004, Hail The Chief has not looked the same force of late. Binanti remains on a competitive mark and, coming here on the back of a good second here over seven furlongs, cannot be ruled out. Waterside is back to the mark from which he won here over seven furlongs in January and, from a very much respected yard, is expected to go well. Irish import Battling Mac is competitively weighted on the best of his Irish form, while course and distance winner Wavertree Warrior is also respected but has two or three pounds to find to score on overall form. Arguably Hayyani's best run to date has come here and he could be open to further improvement, while Hurricane Coast also needs improvement and the promising Top Man Tees is surely better over further. Stoic Leader is very well-weighted on the best of his Turf form, but his recent form needs boosting, and Screwdriver showed a bit more last time here over seven furlongs from today's mark, so can't be discounted, and he meets Louphole on the same terms from that race for around a head. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Dr Thong.
Binanti 4-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division, headway when hung left from over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, hd behind Perfect Story (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Dr Thong 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered over 2f out, squeezed through inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Zalkani (8-13) by 1l, 12 ran.
Waterside (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Led after 1f, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3/4l behind Obrigado (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 11-1 (8-10) Prominent far side, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 20, 1l behind Wigwam Willie (8-8) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Hayyani (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Steadied start, took keen hold and chased leaders after 2f, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 20l behind Fantorini (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Top Man Tee 5-1 (9-0) In touch, challenged from 3f out, driven to lead approaching 2f out, stayed on well, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Oct beating Intend To Leave (9-0) by 2l, 15 ran.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Chased leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 29l behind Namroud (8-8) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Oct.
Screwdriver 16-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, good headway approaching final furlong, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Perfect Story (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
