held up, closed going strongly 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, held close home
led, ridden and headed just over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader, led just over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, led again inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on, unable to challenge
held up, effort 3f out, soon outpaced, well held from over 1f out
FAYEZ (NAP) has been competing over longer trips recently but won over a mile at Chelmsford in September and can race off a similar mark today. David O’Meara’s charge makes most appeal of these given Glory of Paris remains 7lb higher than last month’s success at Chelmsford having returned a losing favourite in both subsequent starts. Sheila's Treat has to race off a 10lb higher mark than when scoring at Yarmouth in October while Malaspina is preferred to Gabrial's Kaka of the remaining pair with the latter having switched yards since last in action.
Fayez (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up, pushed along and headway over 1f out, effort between horses and every chance when short of room towards finish, unable to quicken close home, 4th of 13, 3/4l behind Claire Underwood (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Malaspina (ITY) 9-2 (10-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, dist behind Ebony Gale (11-0) at Leicester 2m mdn (3) gf in Dec.
Glory of Paris (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Reared start, missed break, took keen hold and made up lost ground after 2f, led 5f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Paparazzi (8-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Sheila's Treat (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Raced wide in touch, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 12l behind Matterhorn (9-10) at Southwell 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Gabrial's Kaka (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Mid-division, outpaced over 1f out, soon ridden, never a threat, 11th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Bezos (9-0) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gs in Oct.