close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, headway to go 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged left, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon hung right, kept on
held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, kept on on outside over 1f out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out
soon tracking leaders on outer, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
Frontline Phantom had Zafranagar and Gala Casino Star occupying the places when successful over the trip at Doncaster earlier this month and, as he won with something to spare, should confirm the positions. Sharp Sovereign, who was a long way behind, had the worst of the draw and is much better than the run indicates. He won a tough C&D handicap in October and can go well despite a big weight. Cornish Beau made a winning reappearance here a year ago but that was over 1m4f and this may prove too short, a remark that also applies to Hong Kong Island. BUDDY HOLLY has dropped to a very low mark and was desperately unfortunate not to score at Leicester on Saturday as he led from the start only to be caught on the post by Boa. He was well supported that day and deserves compensation.
Sharp Sovereign (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, lost place 3f out, 16th of 20, 33l behind Frontline Phantom (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Cornish Beau (IRE) 2-1fav (9-2) Close 3rd, not much room on inside over 3f out, soon angled out right to chase winner, ridden 2f out, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Milnagavie (9-0) at Ffos Las 1m 4f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Gala Casino Star (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Pushed along to chase leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 3l behind Frontline Phantom (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Hong Kong Island (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt, held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, no impression, 11th of 20, 15l behind Frontline Phantom (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
General Tufto 16-1 (8-13) In rear and outpaced, 5th of 8, 7l behind Postman (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Global 25-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear and keen, weakened well over 2f out, last of 21, 42l behind Jeer (10-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gd.
Zafranagar (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, headway to chase winner over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 20, 2 1/2l behind Frontline Phantom (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Buddy Holly 3-1fav (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, caught post, 2nd of 8, ns behind Boa (8-10) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Desert Hunter (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Keen tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 14l behind Hits Only Jude (8-2) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Pinsplitter (USA) 16-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 11th of 21, 13l behind Jeer (10-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gd.
Tenhoo 20-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway well over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 21, 7l behind Jeer (10-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gd.
Mcbirney (USA) 11-4 (9-2) Steadied start, settled well in rear of chasing group, took closer order halfway, chased leaders over 3f out, led approaching final furlong, driven clear, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Broughtons Paradis (9-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Frontline Phantom (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on well on inside final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Zafranagar (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 20 ran.
