held up in touch on inside, headway over 2f out, chasing leaders when not clear run over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, joined 4th post
in touch, losing place when hampered well over 1f out
mid-division on outside, headway over 2f out, ridden chasing leaders 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, went 3rd close home, not reach leaders
held up towards rear, headway towards inside over 2f out, not much room 2f out and switched right, soon not quicken, ridden over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, no threat
took keen hold tracking leaders, weakened inside final 2f
slowly into stride, pushed along early in last pair, steady headway on outside over 2f out, ridden 2f out, driven into 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, 3rd 2f out, driven into 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, chased leading pair until close home, joined for 4th post
led until 2f out, chased leader until ridden over 1f out, chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, 2nd going well over 3f out, led 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on until headed towards finish
chased leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, weakening when not much room 1f out
mid-division on inside, headway on rails over 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, lost action and pulled up inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind most of way
mid-division, pushed laong 3f out, soon weakened, towards rear and no chance when slightly hampered well over 1f out
soon chasing leader on outside, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 3f out, weaqkened quickly well over 2f out, soon behind and eased, tailed off
Sir Michael Stoute has won this twice in recent years so the unexposed Christmas Hamper, who made most on fast ground at Salisbury, is likely to be supported to complete a double. However, he has to concede weight to the rapidly-improving STRAIT OF MAGELLAN, who has a 6lb penalty for a facile victory at Bath last week. That was over a shorter trip but he finished so powerfully that the extra shouldn't pose a problem. Kerrymerry had the selection two lengths behind when they were 1-2 at Lingfield but the winner's second penalty means he's now saddled with 12lb extra and that could prove beyond him. Akavit has already completed a hat-trick in minor handicaps, the latest in very easy fashion, and though now 8lb higher he's in such good form that another big run is anticipated. The progressive Mr Bissto and the filly Perceived step up in trip but the latter's only victory to date has been on soft ground.
Man Look 14-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden and hung left over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 13th of 15, 17l behind King Bolete (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
St Georges Rock (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, ran on final 100 yards, never threatened, 5th of 8, 7l behind Maxwell (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Who Dares Wins (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Mid-division, reminder over 4f out, soon outpaced, kept on same pace final 2f, never on terms, 6th of 11, 5l behind Divine Law (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Provato (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) In rear, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 7, 8l behind Rib Reserve (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) gf in May.
Ickymasho 3-1fav (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Frenzified (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo stk 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Jersey Jewel (FR) 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Endless Time (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) sft in May.
Cahill (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden and hung badly left from over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 6l behind Hubertas (9-4) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Akavit (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Raced keenly, led after 1f, ridden and in command over 1f out, kept on strongly and came clear final furlong, won at Bath 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Apr beating Sonic Rainbow (9-3) by 5l, 8 ran.
Kerrymerry (IRE) 2-5fav (9-8) Made all, ridden over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf beating Brigand Chief (8-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Perceived 6-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, lost place 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression with leaders inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Melodious (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.
Christmas Hamper (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Soon pushed along and prominent, led 8f out and soon clear, driven along 2f out, reduced lead inside final furlong, held on, all out, won at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May beating Avenue Du Monde (9-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Mr Bissto 7-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Stormin Tom (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Strait Of Magellan (IRE) 6-5fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3f out, clear 1f out, readily, won at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf beating Rum Swizzle (9-4) by 6l, 6 ran.
Wagstaff (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Chased leading pair until ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 32l behind Horseshoe Bay (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
