This is anybody’s race. Noble Peace won easily at Lingfield last time and Holiday Magic was successful over 7f at Kempton while Jazz Hands narrowly defeated Tagur over course and distance with previous winner Motahassen well beaten. Mr Strutter and Break The Silence have been thereabouts here recently while Parknacilla has been threatening on the Polytrack but a speculative vote goes to CRIMSON KING, placed over track and trip before finding one too good at Kempton and looking capable of scoring off his current mark on only his third outing for Mick Appleby.
Pioneering (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Mid-division on outside, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Bee Machine (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Bond Angel 9-1 (9-5) In rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and some headway over 1f out, 6th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Silverturnstogold (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Robsdelight (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Raced wide, headway to track leader 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Bedtime Bella (9-3) at Southwell 6f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Parknacilla (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up behind, headway 2f out, soon chased leaders, stayed on to press winner towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind J'ouvert (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Muqarred (USA) 20-1 (9-5) Close up, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Silverturnstogold (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Motahassen (IRE) 4-5fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Jazz Hands (8-7) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Crimson King (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Not much room just after start, held up towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Brains (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
First Excel 5-1 (9-0) Led, pushed along and joined over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, just held on to 3rd, 3rd of 7, 5 1/4l behind Queen Of Kalahari (9-0) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Jazz Hands (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, challenged over 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, held on well final furlong, won at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Tagur (8-8) by nk, 6 ran.
Tagur (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden when hard pressed over 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, kept on, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Jazz Hands (8-7) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Mr Strutter (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) In rear, switched right 3f out, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind High Fort (8-9) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Break The Silence 13-8fav (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, every chance over 1f out, kept on, held inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Bee Machine (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Noble Peace 11-2 (9-4) Close up, pushed along and headway to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Perfect Grace (9-9) by 5l, 10 ran.
Holiday Magic (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-4) Raced keenly, made all, ran on gamely, won at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Rock Boy Grey (9-6) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
