took keen hold, soon tracking leader, led 3f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along and no response over 3f out, plugged on inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved
led until 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leading pair, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final 2f
took keen hold, held up in 5th, unable to quicken over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, no threat
held up in 6th, headway on outside over 2f out, pressing leaders and edged right over 1f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong
held up in last pair, good headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, driven out
held up in 6th, headway towards outside over 2f out, every chance 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
One winning favourite in the last 11 renewals highlights the competitive nature of this handicap and this year is no different with most having form on soft ground. That includes EBTIHAAL who beat subsequent handicap winner Dolphin Vista five lengths at Doncaster in October. Justice Law beat the smart Tashweeq at Newbury last year and the latter's trainer runs Lingfield maiden winner Von Blucher. Abareeq has won on the all-weather more recently while Chief Whip won a maiden here back in July and Ryan Moore takes over the reins on the Irish 2000 Guineas entry.
Justice Law (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led going well 3f out, ridden and pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Ventura Storm (9-5) at Salisbury 1m stks (4) sft in Sep.
Ebtihaal (IRE) 11-8fav (8-13) Dwelt soon tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden clear, comfortable, won at Doncaster 1m (3) gs in Oct beating Dolphin Vista (9-0) by 5l, 7 ran.
Mikmak 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, losing place when badly hampered and stumbled inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Crazy Horse (9-0) at Newbury 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Bobby Wheeler (IRE) 11-8 (9-0) Pulled hard, tracked leading pair, driven into modest 2nd over 1f out until no extra well inside final furlong, last of 3, 6 1/4l behind Palawan (9-2) at Goodwood 7f stks (2) sft in Sep.
Abareeq Evensfav (9-5) Made all, shaken up and quickened clear over 1f out, comfortable, won at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Mishwaar (9-5) by 6l, 6 ran.
Von Blucher (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching final furlong, pushed along to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Ennaadd (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Chief Whip (USA) 15-2 (9-5) Edged right soon after start, tracked leaders, switched left over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, quickened to lead towards finish, won at Sandown 7f mdn stks (5) gd in Jul beating Cartago (9-5) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Czabo 16-1 (9-0) Hampered start, held up, headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, won at Newbury 6f mdn fll stks (4) gs in Aug beating Jadaayil (9-0) by nk, 13 ran.
Midhmaar 9-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, went 2nd post, no chance of reaching winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Move Up (9-7) at Ripon 1m (4) gd in Sep.
