led to over 3f out, regained lead over 2f out, soon hard driven, edging left and headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
soon tracked leading pair, hard driven to chase winner final furlong, stayed on but always held
keen hold, pressed leader, led over 3f out to over 2f out, soon weakened and eased
always in rear, pushed along 4f out and soon outpaced
held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, driven on outside and chased leading pair final furlong
held up, pushed along 4f out, headway on outside over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, driven and stayed on well
Nonrunner
Watchful created a favourable impression when making a winning debut when landing a Goodwood maiden last month but she looks plenty high enough in the weights on a mark of 81 first time in a handicap today so preference is for Venerable, who gets the vote ahead of Wait For The Light. The last mentioned has been showing gradual improvement of late and has every chance judged by his latest effort when a close third at Folkestone but Ed Dunlop's gelding may have to settle for minor honours again. David Elsworth's Know The Law has shown a consistent level of form and should be thereabouts again, while Russian Invader seemingly has a decent racing weight for his debut in this grade. The vote though goes to John Gosden's Venerable, who was good value for his win at Sandown last time and he is taken to defy the 5lb rise in the weights for that success.
Venerable 10-1 (9-0) Soon led, strongly pressed 2f out, pushed along and in command final furlong, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept beating Jamboretta (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Wait For The Light 8-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Samsons Son (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) frm in Sept.
Watchful (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well to assert final 50 yards, won at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Sept beating Unreachable Star (8-12) by 1l, 7 ran.
Know The Law 9-4 (9-3) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway when not much room on inner over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Bold Glance (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f mdn stk (5) frm in Sept.
Master Halling 14-1 (9-3) Behind, pushed along 4f out, never a factor, 9th of 12, 12l behind Moon Quest (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Mandragola 14-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden 3f out, switched over 1f out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Kingscape (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sept.
Russian Invader (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Royal Jasra (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept.
Beau Sancy 16-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, eased when beaten 1f out, last of 8, 19l behind Veiled Applause (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sept.
