mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden halfway, never trouble leaders
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden, hung left and weakened over 1f out
with leader until over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
held up, mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
made most, ridden over 1f out, headed and stayed on inside final furlong
toward rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
reared start, always in rear
slowly into stride, never near leaders
dwelt, keen and held up, ridden halfway, no impression
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
Alistair John, Granakey and Cree are the three to look at here and Cree is taken to come out on top. Alistair John had been campaigned over longer trips before being dropped back in distance to score last time. That was a much improved performance and he can go well again here, although he may not be the most consistent of types. Granakey seems less exposed than some of her rivals and has been placed in her last two starts in similar contests. She looks set to pick up a race of this nature soon. Cree has been placed five times this year without winning but arguably this represents a drop in grade and this looks a good opportunity for him to get his head in front. Cree gets the vote.
Alistair John 40-1 (9-3) Led early, led over 4f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn aut (6) pol in Oct beating Gift Aid (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cree 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Turibius (9-1) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sept.
Far Note (USA) 25-1 (8-12) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 9l behind Further Outlook (8-13) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Jul.
Four Amigos (USA) 7-2fav (9-4) Close up, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Imperium (9-4) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
Height of Esteem 14-1 (9-3) Held up rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 12, 8l behind Imperium (9-4) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
Granakey (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Led 1f, tracked leader afterwards, pressed winner and every chance over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Imperium (9-4) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
Blakeshall Quest 13-2 (9-2) Prominent, ridden and effort 2f out, no extra and weakened quickly over 1f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind Imperium (9-4) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
Obe Bold (IRE) 33-1 (8-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, last of 14, 8l behind Henry Hall (9-3) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) frm in Sept.