chased leaders, challenged and hit 3 out, led soon after, headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, kept on to home 2nd
held up in rear, good headway approaching 6th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, soon in command, drew clear flat
held up well in rear, headway after 3 out, kept on flat, never nearer
mid-division, behind from 6th
led until strongly pressed and headed soon after 3 out, one pace under pressure from next
mid-division, under pressure 3 out, no danger after
chased leader, led 6th, headed approaching next, soon ridden and weakened soon after
in touch, mistake 5th, headway next, led briefly approaching 3 out, weakened and hit last 2
held up, brief effort soon after 6th, weakened tamely before next
behind most of way, ridden and struggling 6th
behind, hit 5th, held up when pulled up before 2 out (lame)
chased leaders, blundered 3 out, rallied approaching last, plugged on flat
Polished can get back to winning ways here, with Alph, Ellway Prospect and Vale de Lobo all expected to run well. This does look fairly competitive, but Polished has been in good form generally, winning four of his last six outings, and has plenty going for him now. The plain fact is that Victor Dartnell's charge has never won over two and a half miles, the trip over which he was beaten at Haydock last time, and the drop back in trip will suit him much better. In addition, his pilot can take seven-pounds off his back, and that should be enough to give him the edge over Alph. Granted he would perhaps have gone close against Green Iceni at Sandown had he not made a costly blunder at the final flight, but he will need to jump well throughout here to have any chance of overcoming the selection. the mare Ellway prospect is lightly weighted, but the feeling is that she might need further, while Vale de Lobo is dropped in grade but might need the run. The market should tell if any of the others are fancied, but the form pick has to be Polished.
Polished 13-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch, jumped left 9th and 10th, led 2 out, hit last, headed and no extra flat, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Melford (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Alph 7-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, close up in chasing group, closed to lead 2 out, blundered and headed last, not quicken flat, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Green Iceni (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) hvy.
Hail The King (USA) 14-1 (10-13) Held up well in rear, headway travelling well after 3 out, driven and no impression flat, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Wenger (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Dec.
Carly Bay 20-1 (11-8) Held up last, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on run-in to take 3rd near finish but no chance with front pair, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Silistra (10-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Signature Tune (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on again from 2 out, not reach front 2, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Nagano (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft.
Hunting Lodge (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 5th of 9, 3l behind Gods Token (11-6) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
Amnesty 17-2 (11-0) Held up, steady headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, driven and upsides winner last, every chance run-in, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Silistra (10-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft.
Shaman 16-1 (10-3) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind The Local (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Dec.
Vale de Lobo 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leader, pushed along after 6th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 8, well behind Pace Shot (11-0) at Aintree 2m 3yo nov hdl (C) gs in Oct.
Silistra 12-1 (10-7) Held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, led on inside approaching 2 out, strongly pressed last, edged right run-in, held on, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec beating Amnesty (11-0) by a hd, 12 ran.
Bestam 10-1 (10-11) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace, 6th of 17, 10l behind Caesarean Hunter (10-7) at Doncaster 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gd.
Ellway Prospect 9-2 (10-10) Prominent, led briefly 5th, ridden, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Capitana (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (E) gs.
