held up, headway on bit over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead near finish
held up towards rear, hung right over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, ran on
held up, switched left and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, no impression from well over 1f out
chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway when squeezed through over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, came wide entering straight, soon behind
slowly into stride, always behind
always prominent, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed near finish
led until over 4f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, not clear run on inside over 2f out, behind after
Atlantic Story will be hoping to achieve his hat-trick here after victories at Kempton and Southwell, and is given the nod ahead of Just Bond and Zamhrear. The selection followed up his gambled-on facile win a week ago at Kempton with a hard-fought victory at Southwell on Wednesday, and whilst that latest win was hard work, the front two pulled a mile clear of the rest and so the form looks solid enough. Course and distance winner Just Bond would appear to be the major threat, judged on his last-to-first victory here three weeks ago. Although he lost several lengths at the start, that performance was eye-catching and as he obviously gets on well with jockey Duran Fentimen, he must be feared. However, another tardy start could prove costly against better opponents today and so he is passed over. As is Zamhrear, who was ambitiously plunged into a listed contest last time out after winning a banded contest on her penultimate start at Southwell over seven furlongs. Assuming she handles this surface in a similar fashion, she could go close for trainer Clive Brittain. Of the rest, Second Reef is consistent if unspectacular and could again gain some place money, whilst Irish raider Open Loop should be monitored in the market. However, for the winner we return to Mick Easterby's Atlantic Story who is turned out quickly in the hope of another success.
Atlantic Story (USA) 6-5fav (9-0) Held up in touch, wide and headway over 2f out, led 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) std in Nov beating Mozakhraf (8-10) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Just Bond (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Started slowly, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Nov beating Qualitair Wings (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Voice Mail 8-1 (9-11) Close up on inside, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 8l behind Altilhar (9-7) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Ignition 20-1 (8-13) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Panic Stations (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Second Reef 5-2fav (9-5) Held up, not clear run, bumped and squeezed through over 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Topiary Ted (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Atlantic Viking (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Musical Script (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Zamhrear 100-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong, 13th of 14, 29l behind Lake Toya (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) gs in Nov.
Open Loop (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, hung left final furlong, stayed on same pace, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Happy as Larry (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
