led for 1f, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, soon lost place, no chance when hampered on rail inside final 2f
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, soon hung left, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
slowly into stride, took keen hold and held up, headway to track leading pair over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
behind, headway on inside rail inside final 2f, ran on under pressure final furlong
dwelt, soon tracking leaders, going well over 2f out, ridden and found nil over 1f out
held up behind leaders, led over 1f out, driven out final furlong
Danetime Lord's revised mark of 75 makes life a lot trickier and we will pass him over and side with Perfect Story to have a fairytale ending and land the contest, with Royal Dignitary and Garstang two others with claims. The selection is arguably better over six furlongs however as a course and distance winner, Jamie Toller's mare looks on the upgrade and looks the value call. Danetime Lord racked up three wins in four starts earlier in the year but is now paying for those wins with the handicapper and whilst he is likely to give it a good go from near the front, he looks opposable. Mujood returns from a break and certainly has claims if reproducing his best, as do Desert Dreamer and Raza Cab but both have been woefully out of form. Makabul steps up to this trip for the first time which must be a slight worry for a horse with such pace, so of more interest may be Royal Dignitary who should be fitter for his recent reappearance and whilst apparently not as good on the all-weather as the turf, he warrants plenty of respect. In an open contest, we will stick with Perfect Story as the selection.
Mujood 8-1 (9-8) Held up in touch, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind College Scholar (8-6) at Newmarket 6f 2yo & 3yo stk (4) gs in Oct.
Royal Dignitary (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Dichoh (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Garstang 12-1 (8-9) Steadied start, mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Lucayos (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Desert Dreamer (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) In rear, ridden on outer 3f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 8l behind Bobski (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Danetime Lord (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) In touch, chased winner 1f out, soon every chance, weakened close home, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Lethal (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Makabul 10-1 (8-12) Always in rear, last of 8, 9l behind Diane's Choice (8-9) at Leicester 5f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Raza Cab (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division, headway well over 1f out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 13l behind Writ (9-8) at Lingfield 1m clm (6) pol.
Perfect Story (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Went left start, towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no real impression, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Distinctly Game (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
