mid-division, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
prominent, driven over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
soon led, headed 3f out, kept on same pace until weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
dwelt and towards rear, pushed along halfway, some late headway, never near to challenge
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, driven along halfway, weakened over 2f out,
in touch, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong
slowly into stride and always in rear
prominent, smooth progress to lead 2f out, clear entering final furlong, easily
King Nicholas holds solid claims judged by official BHB ratings but has been somewhat out of form of late and a safer bet looks to be Lady Suesanne, who is preferred to Semper Paratus. The last mentioned has been performing with credit in banded races of late but this looks tougher so he is probably best watched. Similar comments apply to Inchdura, who has seemingly regressed over the last year, while Headland has only shown bits and pieces of form of late. Perianth is less exposed than most of these and could be of interest if the market speaks in his favour but the vote goes to Lady Suesanne. Two decent efforts in similar grade here over seven furlongs suggest that the filly has the ability to take a hand in this company and she looks the safest bet in a poor contest.
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 100-1 (8-7) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, never near to challenge, 8th of 14, 15l behind Owed (9-1) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Headland (USA) 25-1 (8-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 7th of 14, 9l behind King After (8-5) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (6) gd in Sept.
Inchdura 8-1 (8-11) Prominent 2f, soon outpaced, headway approaching final furlong, kept on, 4th of 7, 6l behind Sea Frolic (8-11) at Southwell 1m stk (7) fbs in Dec.
King Nicholas (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 13, 18l behind Blue Patrick (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Perianth (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Prominent for 2f, soon lost place, 12th of 13, 24l behind Velocitas (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn clm (7) pol in Dec.
Semper Paratus (USA) 11-4fav (8-11) Raced wide, hung left throughout, soon pushed along in mid-division, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 14, 7l behind Desert Fury (8-11) at Southwell 1m stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Castanza 50-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 12, 15l behind Mungo Jerry (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Lady Suesanne (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Owed (9-4) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Dec.