held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went never nearer 4th close home
tracked leaders on outside, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression when lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, headway on wide outside and edged left over 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, just held
took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along and every chance 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no impression when dropped to 3rd inside final furlong
always towards rear, behind and struggling over 2f out, never a factor
held up towards rear, good headway on inside halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, clear entering final furlong, just held on
chased leader, pushed along 3f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
PREDOMINANCE was well supported on his belated debut in a moderate Chepstow maiden run on ground with some give and looked ideally suited as he was always travelling well and scored easily. He has much more to do here but could have been let in lightly on a mark of 83. Second Wave has won three times in five starts and been narrowly beaten in the other two. He's hardly overburdened and is another who should be capable of better. Greatest Hits made a promising debut at Newmarket a year ago before landing a Kempton maiden in December though it's a concern that he hasn't raced subsequently. Goring landed a handicap over 7f here before finding a 6lb rise just beyond him at Ascot but Hard To Handel couldn't get to Dazzle The Duel over the track and trip last time and has still gone up 4lb.
Goring (GER) 8-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway under pressure inside final 2f, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Flying Hammer (9-2) at Ascot 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Greatest Hits (USA) 11-4fav (9-5) Soon led, pushed clear final furlong, in command when shaken up and edged left well inside final furlong, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Kempton 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Dec beating Pathway To Honour (9-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Hard To Handel 9-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, progress to chase leaders over 2f out, switched left to challenge entering final furlong, soon every chance, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Dazzle The Duel (9-3) at Newbury 1m hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Purple Rock (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) In touch, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 8l behind Western Reserve (9-4) at Newmarket 1m hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Predominance (IRE) 5-2fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway going well 3f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Chepstow 7f mdn stks (5) sft in Sep beating New Stream (9-9) by 6l, 11 ran.
Second Wave (IRE) 11-10fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, driven out, gamely, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Yeager (9-7) by hd, 10 ran.
Lovely Surprise (IRE) 10-3fav (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 12 1/2l behind Father Bertie (9-4) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Lear's Rock (IRE) 9-4fav (9-1) Led early, prominent, ridden over 3f out, lost place 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 10 3/4l behind Anya (10-0) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Little Lady Katie (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, rallied approaching final furlong, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind First Dream (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Dark Wave 12-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 30 1/2l behind Ready (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Popeswood (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 17th of 20, 13 1/2l behind Bertiewhittle (9-7) at York 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Yeenaan (FR) 13-2 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway to challenge over 1f out, soon no impression, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Keystroke (9-5) at Windsor 1m hcp (4) gs in Aug.
