in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden 5f out, weakened over 2f out, behind and eased over 1f out
keen, mid-division, lost place and dropped to rear 6f out, headway when not clear run 3f out, soon switched right, headway to chase winner approaching final furlong, ridden, stayed on gaining towards finish
close up, chased leader over 6f out to over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
chased leader, led well over 7f out, ridden and headed 2f out, one pace
held up in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened well over 1f out
led, headed well over 7f out, remained in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard in rear, headway on outer halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up in rear, headway well over 2f out, soon led, ridden out (hand timed)
Punjabi is taken on with Mad Rush. The selection has a long absence to overcome which is a slight concern but he looked like a horse to keep on the right side of last year and may be able to resume from where he left off. That final start was just the fourth of his career and saw him go down by a short-head to Hi Calypso who went on to win a Group 3 and a Group 2 on her next two starts. The selection is just 3lbs higher this afternoon and should be capable of winning from this mark although he is entitled to need this run. Punjabi is the fly in the ointment and Nicky Henderson's runner could turn out to be a warm order for this prize. His Flat form at around a mile for his previous connections was nothing out of the ordinary but he has since made up into a top class hurdler and he would look well handicapped if transferring that improvement back to the level over this longer trip. There are some useful sorts amongst the remainder who will win more races but these two appeal as the two best handicapped horses in the race and we're going to take a chance with Mad Rush as he embarks on a new campaign.
Candle 6-1 (8-13) Held up behind leaders, joined leader 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well, won at Goodwood 1m 4f fll hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Pivotal Answer (8-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Maslak (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) In touch, went 2nd from just over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, just held on, won at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Cruise Director (8-8) by a shd, 13 ran.
Mad Rush (USA) 11-2 (9-5) Held up, progress 6f out, led over 1f out, looked in command, caught post, 2nd of 11, shd behind Hi Calypso (9-1) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Mikao (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 10l behind Greek Envoy (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Shela House 7-2jt-fav (9-1) Settled 3rd 8f out, driven along on inside over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Brief Goodbye (8-4) at Windsor 1m 4f hcap (4) gs.
Ollie George (IRE) 9-4 (9-5) Held up, chased winner 4f out, ridden and hung left under pressure approaching final furlong, no extra near finish, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Sugar Ray (9-4) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Rajeh (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 11l behind Birkside (9-1) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Prince Sabaah (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 12, shd behind Birkside (9-1) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Know The Law 13-2 (8-11) Never a danger, 7th of 8, 7l behind Sgt Schultz (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (4) pol in Dec.
Punjabi 5-1co-fav (9-2) Towards rear, headway and switched left well over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Rakata (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct '06.
