raced wide mid-division, ridden and hung left from 3f out, never dangerous
in touch, led over 4f out until edged left and headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden to chase leader 3f out until 1f out, no extra final furlong
in touch, hampered over 3f out, ridden and headway to lead over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on
with leaders over 5f
soon led, headed over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, outpaced and behind, never dangerous
mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
with leaders over 4f
dwelt, in rear, ridden halfway, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
prominent on outside, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, headway halfway, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
dwelt, always in rear
mid-division, hampered over 3f out, soon lost place
In an extremely trappy finale, the very tentative vote goes to Jordan's Light for the in-form Tim Pitt stable, ahead of recent winner Dudley Docker and course and distance winner Gem Bien. The selection ran gallantly in defeat last time out at Kempton and may appreciate the step back up to a mile. His main positive however is the form of his stable which is flying at present, and he may make a bold bid to win this from the front. Dudley Docker will have to overcome a penalty for his recent success, but this doesn't look an especially strong contest and so he goes on the shortlist. Gem Bien looks thoroughly exposed but he has run well over course and distance before and so he too goes on the rather large shortlist, along with fellow course and distance winner Ermine Grey who ran well in defeat last time out at Nottingham, and Ron Harris's The Gaikwar. One cannot be truly confident that any horse will run up to their best form, however, in what looks a head-scratching finale, Jordan's Light remains the tentative selection.
Ermine Grey 9-1 (8-13) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders, 5th of 15, 1/2l behind Band (8-12) at Nottingham 1m hcap (6) sft.
Lii Najma 16-1 (8-12) In touch and keen, ridden 2f out, ran on, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Climate (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Oct.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 10-3 (8-8) Prominent and keen, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung left, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Snow Bunting (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Jordan's Light (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Soon led, headed after 2f, stayed prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance, kept on, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Million Percent (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
The Gaikwar (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, hung left 1f out, one pace, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Panic Stations (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Favouring (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Led over 3f, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 15l behind La Colline (8-7) at Southwell 6f app hcp (6) std.
Gem Bien (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Towards rear, hampered 7f out, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 20l behind Just Bond (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol.
Never Say Deya 12-1 (9-1) Held up, effort 2f out, no extra, weakened final furlong, 4th of 14, 8l behind Eccollo (9-5) at Kempton 1m banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
