steadied start, held up, hampered 5f out, keen and headway soon after, chased leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway halfway, chased leaders 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, chased winner from 2f out, no impression and dropped to 3rd over 1f out
took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
started slowly and went left start, held up in rear, smooth headway on stand rail halfway, led going well over 2f out, quickened clear soon after, easily (hand timed)
led until over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
keen hold, held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leader until well over 2f out, soon weakened under pressure
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, rallied under pressure to 2nd over 1f out, no chance with easy winner
in touch, switched sharply right and hampered rival 5f out, weakened 3f out
Dafeef, Hunting Tartan and Dubai Set are the ones to look at here, with DAFEEF, who was impressive on his latest start, taken to score again. Dubai Set seemed to improve as last season progressed and he finished off with a game win at Doncaster, getting back up after being headed. He will be fit, hailing from an in form yard, and despite 5lbs higher here he can go well. Hunting Tartan took his maiden in fine style, and was not disgraced in a Group Three next time, beaten less than five lengths, but he carries top weight here, and that may be prohibitive though the yard's three-year-olds are in very good form and he is respected. Dafeef won impressively at Newmarket on his second start at the end of August, and the form looks solid as the third won since in a decent Newbury maiden. Dafeef looks progressive and talented and his mark seems lenient, and he can take this good quality handicap.
Hunting Tartan 4-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never reached leaders, 8th of 9, 5l behind Sir Parky (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Oct.
Treadwell (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Close up, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, driven and hung right final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 8, 3l behind Chaperno (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 2yo nov stks (4) pol in Oct.
Side Glance 5-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd just inside final 2f, hard ridden to hold that place throughout final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Fremont (9-5) at Salisbury 7f 2yo nov stk (4) gf in Sep.
Dafeef 13-8fav (9-3) Tracked leader, hung badly right from just over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Lean Machine (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Waveband 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, held when bumped over 1f out, eased final furlong, last of 11, 17l behind Whozthecat (9-3) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Apr.
Dubai Set 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov beating Gouray Girl (9-5) by hd, 20 ran.
Gramercy (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up last in group of 4 in centre, headway 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Meezaan (8-12) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Secret Queen 16-1 (8-1) Beind stands side group, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 22, 6l behind Lucky Like (8-6) at Redcar 6f Lstd auc stks (1) gf in Oct.
Gunner Lindley (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 22l behind Azizi (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Kurtanella 14-1 (9-7) Behind, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure when hampered well inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 6, 3l behind Lord Aeryn (7-13) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Oct.
