mid-division, headway over 2f out, not much room briefly over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, led towards finish
tracked leaders, lost some ground over 3f out, no impression after, stayed on same pace final furlong
not much room and slowly away, towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, some late progress, no impression
held up towards rear, struggling over 2f out
in touch in mid-division, switched left over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
restless in stalls, prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, finished well final 150 yards, went 2nd close home
carried right start, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
edged right start, took keen hold, led until over 2f out, soon weakened
always in rear
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, led over 1f out, headed towards finish, lost 2nd close home
held up rear of mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, no impression but kept on from over 1f out, went 4th well inside final furlong
Chifa won easily at Kempton but has been raised 9lb for his trouble and Sir Maxi is preferred having had the measure of both Cold Stare and Kalganov when landing a higher grade contest here last month. Abbey‘s Dream will likely be in the mix once again but SOUFFIONNE is the least exposed and having beaten a subsequent winner when successful in novice company over track and trip, Hugo Palmer’s charge gets the vote on his handicap debut.
Kalganov (FR) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders out wide, pushed along over 2f out, ridden near side rail over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Ron O (9-11) at Southwell 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Souffionne (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on gamely, won at Newcastle 7f stks (5) pol in Nov beating Moon Flight (9-7) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Sir Maxi 17-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Magical Max (9-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Cold Stare (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Steadied start, behind, headway entering final furlong, kept on, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind Sir Maxi (9-2) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Chifa (IRE) 16-5 (9-7) Held up off the pace in last pair, good headway out wide over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Chalk Mountain (9-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Abbey's Dream 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Intervention (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Flylikeaneagle (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, last of 7, 18 3/4l behind Innse Gall (10-3) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Surprise Picture (IRE) 18-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, 11th of 12, 19 1/4l behind Intervention (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Port Erin (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Led, pushed along and headed 2f out, gradually faded inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Miss Dolly Rocker (9-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Anif (IRE) 22-1 (9-5) Towards rear of mid-division, ridden and weakened from over 2f out, 10th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Starshiba (9-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Bowood 6-1 (9-10) Raced wide in touch, pushed along over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Inverlochy (9-5) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Rich Rhythm 7-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 7l behind Regal Fanfare (9-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
