chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, challenged 2f out, ridden to take narrow lead 1f out, no extra and headed last strides
soon crossed over to lead, ridden and narrowly headed 1f out, rallied gamely under strong pressure to regain lead last strides
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, not clearest of runs just inside final 2f, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden when slightly hampered approaching final 2f, no further progress and soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up in rear, no progress final 2f
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, switched left entering final furlong, kept on
in touch, not clear well over 1f out, switched right to rail, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, edged left near finish
held up in rear, no progress over 2f out
held up towards rear, effort on outside into mid-division 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, in touch, driven to chase leaders well over 1f out, one pace final furlong
keen, held up in rear, no progress over 2f out
chased winner until ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
An open race where the shortlist is made up of Cheam Forever, Edgeworth and STRIDING EDGE, and it is the last-named who is given the vote. William Muir's gelding won well on his reappearance at Kempton last month and has earned his 5lb higher mark. However he still looks competitively handicapped and having run ok here before he should run well. Mr Hichens was well-held at Wolverhampton last time but the winner has since gone in again so his winning turn may not be over yet, Smart Endeavour looks fairly handicapped on his return, whilst Charlotte Point regressed last year but may be capable of better yet. Ellemujie normally needs a run or two to put him straight, so a bigger threat may be the consistent Hail Promenader or the well-handicapped Tudor Key. Orchard Supreme is better on the all-weather, Edgeworth is a course and distance winner but possibly a tad high in the weights now, whilst Cheam Forever would be a big player if fit and raring to go on this return to action. Not an easy handicap to work out, however we're happy enough to side with recent winner Striding Edge.
Hail Promenader (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Close up, chased leader and every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 19, 12l behind Felday (9-4) at York 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Tudor Key (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed when edged left over 1f out, hung left and kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Roar Of Applause (8-8) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Oct.
Ellemujie 16-1 (9-9) Held up well in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 14, 5l behind Poyle Meg (8-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Charlotte Point (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 10l behind Shamwari Lodge (8-12) at Kempton 1m fll lst stks (1) pol.
Noble Jack (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Keen tracked leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Last Sovereign (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Smart Endeavour (USA) 11-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 17l behind Amazing Blue Sky (8-6) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Aug.
Striding Edge (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Having A Ball (8-9) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Mr Hichens 3-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Kidlat (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Mar.
Orchard Supreme 5-2fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, smooth headway on inside well over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, ran on under hand riding to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar beating Thunderstruck (8-13) by hd, 9 ran.
Cheam Forever (USA) 6-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out until over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Muftarres (9-5) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Edgeworth (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Behind, soon pushed along, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Bended Knee (8-8) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Rock Anthem (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 9, 3l behind Dinner Date (8-10) at Kempton 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Calahonda 12-1 (9-5) Made most, ridden two lengths clear over 1f out, driven and joined inside final furlong, ran on all out, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Aug beating Ours (9-10) by ns, 14 ran.
Ocean Transit (IRE) 10-3 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, virtually pulled up over 1f out, last of 5, 50l behind Striker Torres (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
