held up, smooth progress over 1f out, driven entering final furlong, ran on to lead close home
slowly into stride, always rear division
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on until headed close home
slowly into stride and towards rear, driven and headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong
soon led, headed after 1f, remained in touch, lost place over 3f out, stayed on towards finish
towards rear, pushed along and headway over 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt and soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
in touch, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden and lost place after 2f
Elusive Warrior, Mon Petite Amour and Barzak are three against the field in this competitive affair and the narrow vote is given to Elusive Warrior. The selection won with a little in hand last time out when beating Windy Prospect, that form has since been franked and although having a penalty for that win he will be hard to beat. Mon Petite Amour rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Claws but he has had plenty of chances without taking one and he is taken on with this in mind. Barzak is another that could go well on his best form but he has dissapinted of late so can not be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder Prettilini is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but consistency is not his strongh point and in a despeerate affair for the winner we return to Elusive Star.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, always travelling well, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ridden and kept on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Windy Prospect (8-13) by 2l, 13 ran.
Prettilini 12-1 (8-8) Mid-division, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 5l behind Discotheque (8-10) at W'hampton 7f fll hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Grand Palace (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Led, headed after 7f, soon beaten, 5th of 6, well behind Stolen Light (10-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Wayward Shot (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) In touch, headway to lead entering final furlong, headed well inside last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Mythical Charm (9-10) at Kempton 1m banded stk (7) pol.
Barzak (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden along and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Capital Lass (8-12) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Nov.
Mon Petite Amour 12-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, switched left inside last, ran on, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Claws (9-5) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol.
Dictation 13-2 (8-11) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 11, 9l behind Just Bond (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Nov.
Wilford Maverick (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Keen, in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bobering (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol.
