slowly into stride, always behind
behind, ridden and headway on inner over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, chased winner over 1f out until entering final furlong, one pace
chased winner, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders until outpaced halfway
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
made all, stayed on strongly from 2f out
In a tricky finale, Jimmy The Guesser is likely to play a prominent part, but Pieter Brueghel is nominated to follow up some consistent efforts by taking this, with Quiet Times the other to note. Having finished runner-up at Lingfield, Quite Times put a losing run of two years behind him when scoring in decisive fashion at Wolverhampton last time. Only raised a pound for that win he can go well here. Jimmy The Guesser hasnt won since April but hasnt dropped down the handicap as he has been running well in defeat. His last run was a case in point as he finished a good second over the course and distance and will be hard to keep out of the frame. Pieter Brueghel hasnt won for a year and a half but ran well in defeat last time over the minimum trip. Unlike some of his rivals he has dropped down to what looks a winning mark and can improve on his second last time over this furlong longer trip that has seen him successful previously. Pieter Brueghel looks set to score.
Quiet Times (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Buy On The Red (8-11) by 2l, 5 ran.
Night Prospector 14-1 (8-3) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out and weakened, 7th of 8, 5l behind Qadar (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Jimmy The Guesser 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, led halfway, ridden, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, nk behind California Laws (8-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Pieter Brueghel (USA) 3-1fav (8-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, driven, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Moorhouse Lad (8-5) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Magic Rush 20-1 (9-0) Led 1f, remained prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 6l behind Happy as Larry (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Pinchbeck 11-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 7l behind Quiet Times (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Zarzu 12-1 (8-9) Held up, never dangerous, last of 11, 3 1/2l behind Perfect Story (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Polish Emperor (USA) 25-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Efistorm (8-11) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Turn On The Style 12-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 8l behind Dancing Mystery (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs in Nov.