slow into stride in rear, never a factor
hampered start towards rear, headway 2f out, effort entering final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no threat to winner
held up, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
tracked leaders, chased leader over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden 3 lengths clear entering final furlong, eased near finish
in rear, reminders 4f out, behind from 3f out
went right start in touch, headway on outer 2f out, ridden to chase clear winner briefly inside final furlong, kept on one pace
close up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
keen led and soon clear, reduced lead over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked clear leader until pushed along over 3f out, faded inside final furlong
This looks a bit more open than the first division as you could give a chance to the likes of Litmus, Catching Zeds, Rezwaan and Royal Mizar if they brought their best form to the table. Southern Cross also warrants a second look back on the level and Sabre Rock finally broke his duck under Shelley Birkett over track and trip last month and is only a pound higher. ROCK CHARM has shown significant improvement since switching to artificial surfaces and was unlucky not to catch Overrider at Wolverhampton last month. Catching Zeds was only a head away in third and re-opposes on the same terms but Stuart Williams' three-year-old has the greater scope and can confirm the form and go one better here.
Litmus (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Bosstime (9-7) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Catching Zeds 9-2 (9-5) Dwelt in rear, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 10, 5l behind Spokesperson (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6).
Lexington Blue 12-1 (8-6) Slowly away in rear, ridden over 4f out, never near leaders, 8th of 12, 8l behind Meddling (9-3) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (6) pol.
Sabre Rock 9-2 (8-7) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch on outside 5f out, driven and effort 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov beating Turnbury (9-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Southern Cross 7-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hickster (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6).
Rezwaan 11-4fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, midfield, headway approaching final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 11, 6l behind Barwah (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol.
Permitted 66-1 (8-6) Steadied start, keen close up in last place, switched towards centre 2f out, never on terms, last of 5, 14l behind Ravenous (8-11) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Rock Charm 6-4fav (8-13) Held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 11, ns behind Overrider (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) in Nov.
Royal Mizar (SPA) 4-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, lost place over 3f out, 8th of 11, 5l behind Overrider (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) in Nov.
Chandrayaan 25-1 (8-9) Behind, under pressure over 6f out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 16l behind Glennten (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
Nouvelle Ere 9-2 (8-12) Led until 5f out, chased winner until over 2f out, chased leaders, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Habeshia (9-5) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Nov.
