held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong
in touch, led 3f out, driven and kept on final furlong
led, headed 3f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, soon chased along, effort over 2f out, no impression
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden along halfway, some late headway but never troubled leaders
always rear division
prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out
Yankee Storm, Rich James and Galley Slave look the three to concentrate on in the finale and the vote goes to Yankee Storm. The selection won well here last time when a change of tactics worked the oracle. He will again try and force the pace here and he could be difficult to peg back. Rich James ran well here last time considering he had the worst of the draw and was forced to race wide throughout. He has the plum draw today which gives him an obvious chance. Galley Slave hinted at a return to form last time when a decent second behind Weet A Surprise and with this step-up in trip in his favour he can go well. However, he has yet to win a race after sixteen starts which does rather temper confidence. Lunatico hails from a shrewd yard and is worth a look in the market, but for the winner we will stick with Yankee Storm.
Diademas (USA) 11-1 (9-4) In rear, headway 2f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 7th of 12, 3l behind Caprio (9-6) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Yankee Storm 11-4fav (8-11) Made all, quickened over 2f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp (6) fbs in Dec beating What's For Tea (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Dancing Maite 15-2 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind The Twelve Steps (9-3) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) fbs in Dec.
Indecision 20-1 (8-10) In touch, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 8l behind Coffee Cup (8-6) at Thirsk 7f 2yo sll (5) gf in Aug.
Galley Slave (IRE) 14-1 (8-0) Outpaced and behind, soon chased along, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Weet A Surprise (9-7) at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (6) fbs in Dec.
Twilight Belle (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Especially (9-6) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Caprima (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Raced wide, chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 9l behind Handsinthemist (8-7) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-65 (6) frm in Sept.
Rich James (IRE) 7-2 (8-4) Close up, led over 2f out, soon headed, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Night Robe (8-3) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Lunatico (GER) 66-1 (8-10) With leaders until halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 25l behind Art Master (8-12) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn auc (4) sft in Jul.