chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened towards finish
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and weakened over 3f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, driven out
chased leader, weakened over 1f out
slow away, always behind
held up, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, just held towards finish
held up, effort over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, challenged over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, headway on outer over 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
Autograph Hunter is arguably better at seven furlongs at this stage of is career and therefore is taken on with Steam Quisine ahead of the hat-trick seeking Ambosiano. The selection is returning from his winter break but if fit enough, he should be involved in the finish having won well on this ground before and with the step back up in trip expected to suit, Mick Quinlan's charge must be fancied to upset some of those shorter in the market. He travelled well but didn't get the clearest of passages when last seen in a decent Newmarket handicap and he looks capable of winning off today's mark of 83. Autograph Hunter is consistent and able to race off 81 on his return to the turf, he looks a threat although there are doubts over stamina. Ambrosiano won well last time out and he certainly looks progressive although a 6lb higher mark will make life trickier. Colchium finally got off the mark in a maiden last time out but doesn't looks obviously well-treated now back in a handicap off 73, so of more interest may be Guiseppe Verde who is unexposed and the handicapper has given him a chance rating him at 75. Kay Gee Be and Zahour Al Yasmeen are two others to consider representing capable stables and should be watched in the market for signs of support, however for the winner we are happy to return to Steam Cuisine to make his opponents wilt.
La Roca (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, not clear run and switched right 1f out, ridden and kept on, 8th of 17, 5l behind Blithe (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gs in Sept.
Steam Cuisine 11-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, headway and switched right over 1f out, driven, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Blithe (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gs in Sept.
Autograph Hunter 9-2 (9-1) Dwelt, headway to chase leader after 2f, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol beating Ravi River (9-4) by a nk, 5 ran.
Spirit of The Mist (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) No danger from after halfway on stand's side, last of 28, 37l behind Miss Beatrix (8-9) at Curragh 7f 2yo aut gs in Sept.
Kay Gee Be (IRE) 8-11fav (8-12) Keen early in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, won at Thirsk 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gs in Aug beating Cassie's Choice (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Zahour Al Yasmeen 16-1 (9-0) Made virtually all, in command over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Jun beating To Party (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Our Herbie 6-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 6l behind Cesc (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Copper King 20-1 (8-6) Steady to rear over 8f out, not trouble leaders, last of 8, 10l behind Man of Vision (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Guiseppe Verdi (USA) 13-8fav (9-3) In touch, headway to chase leader 2f out, led inside final furlong, quickened clear, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Oct beating Hurricane Thomas (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Monkey Glas (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, hung left from over 2f out, led and hung badly left well over 1f out, soon headed, not quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ghost Dancer (8-4) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Ambrosiano 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Perfect Courtesy (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Colchium (IRE) 15-8 (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, just held on, won at Kempton 1m mdn fll (5) pol in Dec beating Miss Saafend Plaza (9-0) by a shd, 10 ran.
Lap of Honour (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders on inside, driven 3f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 8l behind Cesc (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Arena's Dream (USA) 22-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden 3f out, faded over 1f out, 4th of 8, 5l behind Cherri Fosfate (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
