tracked leader until pushed along 3f out, 2nd again and no impression when unbalanced over 1f out, lost 2nd final stride
led, ridden and headed 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leading trio, reminder over 3f out, soon lost place, plugged on
tracked leading pair, 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, eased towards finish
always in rear, pushed along and struggling over 3f out, tailed off
ROME has yet to win in 11 starts but his best form is good enough to land this. He was placed over track and trip in August ahead of Golden Emerald, who is due to run in the previous race, and the 7lb allowance of Hector Crouch helps his cause today. Geordan Murphy is an obvious threat if handling the soft ground as he finished second at Kempton last time when Sea Tiger was well beaten. Franco's Secret hasn't raced since May while the newcomers Hope And Fortune and Memoria are both out of prolific mares.
Rome 5-1 (9-5) Soon in rear, pushed along 3f out, never a factor, 5th of 6, 23l behind Penny's Boy (8-9) at Salisbury 1m 2f clm stks (5) gd.
Sea Tiger 33-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, always behind, 9th of 10, 27l behind Glorious Sun (9-5) at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Franco's Secret 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along on outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, no threat, 7th of 14, 6l behind Role Player (10-0) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in May.
Geordan Murphy 8-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Glorious Sun (9-5) at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Hope And Fortune (IRE) High Chaparral filly out of Vantive.
Memoria Teofilo filly out of Midnight Shift.
Mareef (IRE) 28-1 (9-4) Dwelt, behind, struggling over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 15l behind Goodwood Storm (9-0) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
Liddle Dwiggs 66-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, weakened 3f out, last of 9, 41l behind Groovejet (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Mississippi Queen 50-1 (8-9) Dwelt keen in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 14l behind The Steward (9-5) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.