pressed winner until halfway, chased leaders, driven and one pace in 3rd over 1f out
tracked leaders, smooth headway on inside halfway, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, always held
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders out wide, went 2nd halfway until ridden and hung left inside final 2f, weakened soon after
quickly away, made all, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, always doing enough
Total Commitment has been thereabouts on the Polytrack and drops down in class along with Motagally. But BELLAGIO MAN also faced a tougher task when beaten less than a length at Newcastle recently and another bold bid is expected. Embour struggled behind the selection last time having suffered a hike in the weights for an earlier double while Aberama Gold gets a change of headgear and Blind Beggar debuts for Mick Appleby’s yard having won just the once in 23 previous starts.
Aberama Gold 6-1 (9-11) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Treacherous (8-10) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Motagally 100-1 (9-2) Always in rear, 8th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Fine Wine (9-2) at Newcastle 5f stks (2) pol in Dec.
Total Commitment (IRE) 5-2 (9-2) Always prominent, went 2nd 4f out, challenged from 2f out, ridden to lead final 100 yards, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Tyger Bay (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Embour (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Edged left start, handy, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Pockley (8-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Blind Beggar (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden and switched right over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, pressed winner close, just held, 2nd of 14, hd behind Earls (9-7) at Naas 6f hcp sft in Oct.
Bellagio Man (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Not much room start, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Pockley (8-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp (3) pol in Dec.