held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed when no extra towards finish
slowly away, in rear, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear and pushed along, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders and keen, pushed along over 3f out, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched right entering final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, held on well
Blue Moon's run in the previous race will help us to assess the claims of Sir Bruno, who just held that horse last time, but he's up in grade and has a 5lb higher mark to contend with so is reluctantly opposed. SLIKBACK JACK could be the one under Hanagan as he arrives on the back of a fine effort over seven furlongs and should prove equally as effective over this distance. He's yet to score since winning on debut here but has generally performed with credit and he has plenty in his favour this time, with plenty of pace to help him settle. Glenridding is one of a couple who could set this race up for our pick but his all-weather rating reflects the fact he's much better on turf, while One Scoop Or Two isn't far behind Slikback Jack on a previous meeting and is a danger to all. That said, the biggest threat looks to be Willow Dancer who runs off the same mark as when just touched off at Kempton, providing of course that he isn't involved in a battle for the lead.
Inheritor (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Pressed leaders, lost place 4f out, soon behind, weakened and eased over 1f out, 12th of 13, 46l behind Ahlawy (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Ilie Nastase (FR) 17-2 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and close up 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Grams And Ounces (8-12) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
One Scoop Or Two 16-1 (8-8) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Tinshu (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct.
Glenridding 15-2 (9-2) Chased leaders on inside, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Icelandic (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Willow Dancer (IRE) 3-1fav (9-1) Soon led until headed 6f out, chased leading pair, chased leader over 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on under pressure, caught final stride, 2nd of 10, shd behind Mustakmil (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Stevie Gee (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 12l behind Robust Wish (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Templetuohy Max (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Ahlawy (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Dream On Buddy (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, close up early, soon dropped towards rear, headway and carried left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, not much room when no extra towards finish, 6th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Ingleby Spirit (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Slikback Jack (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden and hung right 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, disputing lead and every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner final 110 yards, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Requisite (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Sir Bruno (FR) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct beating Blue Moon (8-11) by ns, 11 ran.
Elijah Pepper (USA) 4-1 (9-6) Led over 6f out, joined over 4f out, ridden 2f out, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct beating Star Links (9-9) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
