held up towards rear, never in contention
mid-division on outside, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along and effort 3f out, weakened 2f out
led to 3f out, soon weakened, virtually pulled up final 2f
chased leaders, still well there over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and no impression on leaders over 1f out
held up towards rear, stayed on steadily final 2f, no danger
close up, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, but stayed on well
held up in rear, headway on outside from 3f out, stayed on final 2f but not reach leaders
held up in rear, steady headway 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong
held up in mid-division, headway from 3f out, chased winner 2f out, stayed on but no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, never a factor
held up towards rear, pulled way up into mid-division on outside 6f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A competitive field goes to post for the finale and from a shortlist of Bee Sting, Granston and Jeer we will side with Bee Sting. There was plenty to like about the way Walter Swinburn's Bee Sting won last time and this unexposed type makes most appeal with ground conditions very much in his favour. Granston is another that won last time out but he is at his best on quick ground and he will not get his optimum conditions today. Jeer will love this ground and although he disappointed last time, he may have needed the run that day after a break. Paul Cole could win with the stable cat at present as his yard are in terrific form, so Putra Square is another that has to enter calculations. However, Bee Sting looks a solid bet and gets the vote.
Alfie Noakes 16-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, short-lived effort over 5f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 26l behind Finalmente (8-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Jul '06.
Mustajed 20-1 (8-2) Behind, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 14, 6l behind Philatelist (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Bee Sting 7-2 (9-1) Made all, ridden clear 2f out, eased well inside final furlong, won at Chester 1m 2f mdn stk (4) sft in Jun beating Soul Mountain (8-10) by 4l, 9 ran.
Nur Tau (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (8-7) Keen, led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 10l behind Teslin (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) frm in Sept.
Granston (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Always prominent, led well over 1f out, soon hard ridden, kept on well under pressure, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar beating First Buddy (8-12) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Jeer (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Close up on inner, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Mr Aviator (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Ascalon 14-1 (9-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 8l behind Milne Graden (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Zero Cool (USA) 33-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, soon short of room, never on terms, 6th of 8, 4l behind Watamu (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Ezdiyaad (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, hampered over 2f out, soon ridden, switched over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Harry Tricker (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Dzesmin (POL) 16-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 19th of 21, 41l behind Malt Or Mash (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Nov.
Curzon Prince (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Will He Wish (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Eglevski (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 15, 27l behind Best Prospect (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Mar.
First To Call 4-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 6, 9l behind Robustian (8-6) at Southwell 1m 3f hcap (4) fbs.
Putra Square 11-4 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, kept on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Given A Choice (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol.
Celtic Change (IRE) 11-2fav (9-2) Behind stand's side, outpaced over 2f out, ridden, kept on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Exit Smiling (8-10) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Kavachi (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, switched right, ran on to lead towards finish, readily, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct beating Rose Street (9-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
