tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on strongly
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Aquilonius bids for a hat-trick after landing a double at Lingfield and should be thereabouts again, despite a penalty and step up in class. But RAKAAN moves in the opposite direction as he's been competing in better company since defeating both Kingscroft and Alfred Hutchinson over C&D in November. The latter has won since himself and has every chance with an apprentice helping his cause but Jamie Osborne's charge is fancied to confirm superiority as he also has the beating of Trois Vallees on a line through the progressive Viewpoint.
Kingscroft (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Chapter And Verse (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Rakaan (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on well on outside final 110 yards, not reach leaders, 4th of 7, 2l behind Viewpoint (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Alfred Hutchinson 15-8fav (9-3) Prominent, led 2f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Dakota Canyon (8-5) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Aquilonius (IRE) Evensfav (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Red Somerset (9-3) by 2l, 6 ran.
Trois Vallees (USA) 7-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, hard driven 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 7l behind Viewpoint (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Angelic Upstart (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to close on outside over 2f out, carried right over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Chookie Royale (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.