HIGH COMMAND (NAP) always had matters in hand when beating Safira Menina by two-and-a-half lengths over track and trip on just his fifth career start. Deep Resolve was only fifth and Roger Varian's three-year-old should take all the beating again today, despite a 6lb higher mark. Safira Menina had earlier beaten Ride The Lightning at Kempton and should confirm that form while Brigadoon only won a claimer at Catterick in August. Pastoral Music is interesting, however, as he ran well at Nottingham after winning his maiden at Kempton, though his stable could be in better form. Tatting has won four times around here but hasn't raced since May.
Tatting 11-4 (8-11) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Chilworth Bells (9-13) at Catterick 1m 4f stks (6) gs in May.
Freewheel (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 20, 6 1/4l behind Laurence (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Safira Menina 14-1 (10-0) Outpaced, progress to mid-division over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind High Command (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Bazooka (IRE) 200-1 (9-4) Steadied start, always behind, eased over 1f out, 15th of 16, dist behind Duretto (9-4) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Brigadoon 5-2fav (10-12) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace before last, lost 3rd and no extra flat, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Claude Carter (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gd in Aug.
Kafeel (USA) 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, took keen hold, driven over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Burcan (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Goldslinger (FR) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leader and keen, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 37 1/2l behind Lexi's Boy (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Firestorm (GER) 40-1 (11-0) Pulled hard, tracked leader, dived at 2nd, slowed into 3rd and lost 2nd, soon behind, went badly left 5th and next, soon hung badly left and eased, pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Weald Of Kent (USA) 100-1 (9-2) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Ajman Prince (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
High Command (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Prominent, led over 6f out, ridden 3f out, driven out, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Safira Menina (10-0) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Pastoral Music 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 11, 5 1/4l behind London Prize (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Ride The Lightning 11-8fav (10-2) Tracked leaders, not much room and stumbled 5f out, 2nd over 4f out, led and bumped over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Safira Menina (10-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Deep Resolve (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Close up, headway over 4f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind High Command (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Captain Swift (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 3 3/4l behind High Command (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
