led for over 1 furlong, tracked leader after, ridden to dispute lead 2f out, every chance, soon under pressure, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, took keen hold behind, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not reached leaders
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on until weakened quickly inside final 2f
led after 1f, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, no extra when headed final 100 yards
mid-division, ridden and outpaced final 2f
mid-division, good headway over 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards and asserted towards finish
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon outpaced
towards rear, wide straight well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out, never a factor
prominent, lost place over 2f out, wide straight, soon weakened
Palais Polaire rates as a stand-out bet in this handicap and she can land the spoils in a race where Sovereignty and Midmaar look to be her chief dangers. The selection has been given a little break since her last run but she lost no caste in defeat when only narrowly beaten when fourth behind Joy And Pain. A reproduction of that effort should suffice this afternoon and she can finally get her head in front. Sovereignty has got the ability to win this but he hasn't been at his best for a while now and he is hard to back with confidence at present. Midmaar was a fair fourth behind Sir Don last time in a race where Mulberry Lad finished in second. If that horse runs well in the opener then that will boost the case for Midmaar. Only If I Laugh could go close if he is on a going day but he's not won since 2006 so he is probably best watched. This looks a good opportunity for Palais Polaire who can land an overdue success.
Palais Polaire 6-1 (8-8) Prominent, led 5f out, ridden 3f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 11, 1l behind Joy And Pain (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Mythical Charm 16-1 (8-8) Took keen hold in touch, effort over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Mr Napoleon (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Smash N'Grab (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 14l behind Dasheena (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Midmaar (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Broke well, soon tracking leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened close home, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Sir Don (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol.
Sovereignty (JPN) 11-2fav (9-0) Soon close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Briery Blaze (8-11) at W'hampton 6f app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Takaamul 12-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 14, 16l behind Millfield (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Double Valentine 12-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Play Up Pompey (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Raced keenly in touch, raced alone over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3l behind Ai Hawa (8-12) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Only If I Laugh 11-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Grey Gurkha (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol.
Riviera Red (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up behind, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Comeintothespace (9-0) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Noble Mount 50-1 (8-4) Never going well, always in rear, 12th of 13, 11l behind Memphis Man (8-9) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Nawayea 14-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 5l behind Monashee Brave (9-5) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs.
