held up, headway under pressure 4f out, chased leaders 3f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
restrained start, behind, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, kept on without being able to mount challenge
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, soon ridden, dug deep when challenged throughout final furlong, held on gamely, all out
in touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
held up, headway 3f out, ridden to press winner from over 1f out, every chance throughout final furlong, just held
held up, headway on outer over 6f out, joined leader 5f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, headway 5f out, every chance over 2f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out
never better than mid-division
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led until over 3f out, gradually faded
Nonrunner
There are plenty in with chances in this handicap and preference is for SQUADRON over Swingkeel and Kiribati King. Alan King's five-year-old arrives here with a fitness edge on some of his rivals and on the pick of his flat form from last season he has sound claims. The ground will suit and he is entitled to run a big race. Swingkeel has not seen the racecourse since September and he is at his best on genuinely fast ground, so he could be best watched today. Kiribati King will have no problems with the ground and he is admirably consistent, but he may need some respite from the handicapper before he is able to resume winning ways. Alnwick could go well at a price as he is a course and distance winner so he will have no problems seeing out this trip. However, Squadron has plenty to recommend him and he gets the vote.
Winged d'Argent (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Behind, soon driven along, weakened from 5f out, 8th of 10, well behind Bollin Felix (9-9) at Thirsk 2m hcp (4) sft in Sep.
Right Option (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up in last place but not far away, wide and headway to challenge 3f out, soon ridden, one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Mr Aitch (9-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Cleaver 12-1 (9-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 14th of 20, 23l behind Wells Lyrical (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcap (4) gd in Oct.
Mighty Moon 9-2 (8-12) In touch, driven along over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 6l behind Kavaloti (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Maadraa (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, driven and joined inside final furlong, all out, held on well, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar '08 beating Flash Of Colour (9-3) by shd, 9 ran.
Swingkeel (IRE) 9-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway well over 1f out, carried right inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Fregate Island (9-12) at Warwick 1m 7f hcap (4) gd in Sep.
Criterion 8-1 (9-7) Took keen hold early, tracked clear leader, ridden and lost place over 4f out, no danger after, 6th of 9, 12l behind Right Option (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcap (4) pol in Feb.
Squadron 6-1 (9-1) Held up, headway and not clear run over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, soon no impression, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Highland Legacy (9-0) at Newbury 2m hcap (5) gs in Oct '07.
Kiribati King (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Held up, headway when hung left over 2f, driven over 1f, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Neve Lieve (9-0) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 11-4fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Viper (9-13) at Newmarket 2m hcap (3) gs in Oct.
Wabbraan (USA) 14-1 (8-4) Pressed leader, led inside final 2f, headed just inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Kavaloti (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Cape Greko 25-1 (10-3) Prominent on outside, weakened from 3f out, 12th of 13, 15l behind Blazing Bailey (9-8) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Alnwick 9-2 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 5l behind Kavaloti (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Colonel Flay 4-1 (9-7) Held up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 6th of 13, 10l behind Mount Lavinia (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcap (5) gd in Oct.
