chased leaders on outside, outpaced 4f out, weakened final 2f
held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, one pace no impression final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on well
held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden to chase winner well over 1f out, kept on no impression
Brahminy Kite is marginally preferred to Hearthstead Wings of the two Mark Johnston runners but, with a doubt surrounding the fitness of the Johnston horses, the vote goes to Palomar. The selection had some useful form in France last season and, with ground conditions that should suit, he looks worth an interest first time out for Roger Charlton. Akarem would have a squeak on his best form but that is all on a softer surface, while there is little in the formbook to recommend either Motafarred or Motive. Hearthstead Wings has solid claims at the weights but is another that would probably prefer a softer surface and of more interest is Mark Johnston's other runner Brahminy Kite, who has an obvious chance at the weights and on the ground. The form of the yard's runners is of concern though so a chance is taken with Palomar.
Motafarred (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, 5th approaching straight, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 12l behind Essex (8-9) at Naas 1m 4f hcp gd in Oct.
Akarem 33-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 21, 7l behind Come On Jonny (8-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (2) hvy in Nov.
Motive (FR) 8-1 (8-11) Towards rear, mid-division halfway, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 19, 2 1/2l behind Realism (8-6) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Brahminy Kite (USA) 14-1 (8-3) Close up, ridden and bumped over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Cover Up (9-0) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Hearthstead Wings 7-2 (8-7) Led after 3f, ridden and hung right after 1f out, headed inside in final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Kindling (8-2) at Musselburgh 2m lst stk (1) gd in Nov.
Palomar (USA) (9-2) Held up, last 4f out, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 8l behind Shamdala (8-13) at Longchamp 1m 7f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Oct.