held up in touch, pulled hard early, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon hung left, held on well
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
slowly away, held up, headway over 2f out, chased leaders final furlong, stayed on
held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon faded
tracked leader, effort over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon faded
Sphinx has looked a reformed character on a soft surface of late and the eight-year-old is taken to follow up earlier successes at York and Nottingham and is preferred to Taxman and Prime Contender. The last mentioned ran better at Goodwood last time but could probably do with being dropped a couple of pounds. Michabo went close at Salisbury last time on fast ground and should appreciate the return to a softer surface, while Finalmente looks plenty high enough in the weights judged by his reappearance run at Thirsk. Tarabut showed progressive form last term but may want a faster surface to show his best, while Whispering Death gave little sign for encouragement on his return and is probably best watched at present. Taxman has done most of his racing on the all-weather and could be of interest back on turf but preference is for the in-form Sphinx, who is taken to continue to defy the handicapper.
Sphinx (FR) 4-6fav (9-4) Held up behind leaders, smooth progress to lead over 2f out, quickened clear over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, won at Nottingham 1m 6f hcap (4) sft beating Shamrock Bay (8-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
Finalmente 8-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, never on terms, 4th of 8, 4l behind Numero Due (9-4) at Thirsk 2m hcap (4) gd.
Quizzene (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, headway over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Stretton (8-10) at Chester 1m 4f hcap (4) gs.
Trance (IRE) 25-1 (7-12) Slowly into stride, behind, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 10th of 17, 7l behind Admiral (8-1) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gf.
Prime Contender 6-1 (8-9) Chased leaders in 3rd, driven to challenge 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 15, 5l behind Top Seed (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Whispering Death 7-1 (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along 4f out, weakened 2f out, last of 15, 42l behind Polish Power (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Schooner (GER) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, plenty to do 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Sea Holly (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo mdn (D) pol in Nov '03.
Fort Churchill (IRE) 2-1fav (8-12) Keen, held up in touch, switched right 2f out, effort and hung left over 1f out, held when hit by rival's whip 1f out, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Captain General (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (5) gf.
Taxman (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Prominent, led 9f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Senor Set (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Michabo (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Led, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on, no extra when caught final strides, 2nd of 6, nk behind Ebtikaar (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcap (2) frm.
Tarabut 5-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Skye's Folly (9-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
