tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up, some headway 5f out, driven over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, edged left, no extra inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
went right start and slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway 5f out, driven well over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, raced keenly, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, pulled hard, ridden over 4f out, not clear run over 3f out, weakening when hampered well over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
Nonrunner
Desiderio won well last time and we will take him to follow-up; the list of dangers is headed by Calistos Quest and Tasheba. The selection has been in great form on the all-weather and he looks a progressive type. He is no good thing but if he can continue to go the right way then he might be up to landing this. Calistos Quest chased home Mista Rossa at Kempton last time and his trainer believes he will go on this ground. He is another progressive type but he has shaped as though he may be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Tasheba does not lack for ability but he is returning from a break and we don't know whether he goes on the ground or if he will get the trip so there are enough questions for him to answer and he can't be backed with confidence. Any Given Day has also got to prove he will go on this ground, and a safer bet looks to be Desiderio and we will side with him to win the finale.
Tasheba 14-1 (9-3) Held up, mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, shaken up inside final furlong, ran on to lead post, won at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct beating Double On Red (8-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Ogmore Junction (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Held up behind leaders, headway and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 6, hd behind Golden Penny (8-8) at Southwell 1m mdn aut stk (5) fbs.
King Bathwick (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Inventor (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Double On Red 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 17, 15l behind Jaser (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Any Given Day (IRE) 9-4fav (9-4) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, rapid headway over 1f out, hung left and led inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 2f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Vilna (9-7) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Dusk 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Suzi Spends (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Desiderio 5-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Fools Gold (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Shaftesbury (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Chased winner 3f, pushed along over 3f out, hung left, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Leamington (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) 66-1 (8-13) Always behind, 16th of 17, 21l behind Jaser (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Black Tor Figarro (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 6l behind Jaser (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Calistos Quest 2-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, driven 3f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Mista Rossa (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
