held up mid-division on outside, lost place 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, driven 3f out, lost place 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden to chase leaders inside final 2f, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd well inside final furlong, no chance with front pair
held up mid-division, chased leading pair 3f out, went 2nd 1f out, ridden and stayed on to press winner towards finish, always held
took keen hold, held up in last pair until headway on outside to track leader after 4f, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
held up towards rear on outside, lost place 3f out, behind final 2f
soon led, driven and headed 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair when lost 3rd well inside final furlong
tracked leader 4f, in touch, driven over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
Spruzzo started favourite at Musselburgh but couldn't cope with Talk Of Saafend and had been well beaten behind Descaro at Pontefract in October. The latter hasn't been in the best of form this season and will need to do better and it's the improving VELOCE who gets the nod. Ian Williams' charge had just a nose to spare over Hallstatt at Wolverhampton and can confirm the form over this longer trip while it was a better race when just touched off by Fade To Grey at Kempton with Jamarjo just behind and Rose Of Sarratt well beaten though the latter is better on Turf. Talbot Green made all at Lingfield but won't get such a soft lead this time.
Descaro (USA) 11-2 (9-10) Led 3f, tracked leader, until ridden 2f out, weakened and soon no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Mr Crystal (9-7) at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Apr.
Mistoffelees 16-1 (9-12) Always in rear, never a factor, tailed off, 6th of 8, 36l behind Mr Crystal (9-7) at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Apr.
Action Front (USA) 50-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, effort and headway over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 8, 14l behind Old Hundred (9-12) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Veloce (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Tracked leader to halfway, remained prominent, regained 2nd over 4f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Fade To Grey (8-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Hallstatt (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, joined winner inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Fade To Grey (9-0) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Maoi Chinn Tire (IRE) 7-2fav (9-11) Led 2f, tracked leader, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 16l behind Epic (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Aug.
Rose Of Sarratt (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Held up behind, outpaced over 4f out, soon beaten, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Fade To Grey (8-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Talbot Green 9-4fav (9-3) Made all, quickened 3f out, in command over 1f out, pushed along and stayed on well final furlong, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Galiotto (9-7) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Spruzzo 4-1fav (10-10) Pressed winner, ridden and every chance from over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Talk Of Saafend (9-12) at Musselburgh 2m am hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Social Realism (IRE) (9-4) 9th of 18, 12l behind Speedy Crown (9-5) at Fontainebleau(FR) 1m 4f hcap sft in Nov.
Bugsy's Boy 15-2 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, driven clear approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct '10 beating Mohanad (11-9) by 4l, 11 ran.
Jamarjo (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 5f out, ridden and hard pressed over 2f out, kept on under pressure until headed and dropped to 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Fade To Grey (8-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Bold Adventure 5-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, wide over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Veloce (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
