mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, not reached leaders, weakened quickly over 1f out
led until headed 2f out, kept on under pressure, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, not trouble leaders
behind, ridden, headway over 2f out, wide straight, stayed on to take 2nd final furlong, not reach winner
in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, 2 lengths clear 1f out, stayed on, driven out
reared start, started very slowly, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
behind, ridden over 2f out, some progresss when hanging left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
steadied start, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no headway over 1f out
behind, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, not trouble leading pair
prominent, chased leaders 2f out, not quicken, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader after 2f, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened quickly well over 1f out
tracked leaders 2f, stayed prominent until ridden, weakened over 3f out, soon behind
Nonrunner
DARLEY STAR comes here in winning form and receives the vote ahead of Classic Blue and Royal Encore. The selection is from a stable in good form and this King's Best filly managed to get the first win of her career in October at Great Leighs. With a 5lb raise in the weights for that win, the suspicion is that she will need to improve but there is every chance that she will have. Classic Blue is at the other end of the handicap but seeing as there is only 3lb on official ratings between the field, it doesn't say much. A winner at Kempton in October, Ian Williams' filly needs to get over an average run last time. Pab Special shaped with more promise last time, Royal Encore is slowly getting closer to a maiden win, whilst Casablanca Minx and Parkview Love are two of the course and distance winners in the line-up who could not be described as surprise winners. A competitive contest, but Darley Star is taken to win again.
Classic Blue (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) In touch, chased winner 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 14, 7l behind Stand Guard (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Thornaby Green 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 7l behind Brandane (9-1) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Nov.
Barathea Dreams (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Behind, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Saucy (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Royal Encore 8-1 (8-13) Went right start, towards rear, ridden and headway on outside 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Gramm (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Pab Special (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to take 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind General Feeling (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
All You Need (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Towards rear, hampered on bend over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no impression, 7th of 13, 7l behind Plush (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Casablanca Minx (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Steadied start, effort and headway 3f out, switched left to chase winner over 1f out, fading when edged left, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Steig (9-0) at Brighton 1m clm (6) gd in Aug.
Ardent Prince 4-1jt-fav (8-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, driven soon after, no impression, 6th of 11, 9l behind Wakita (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Moment of Clarity 16-1 (8-8) In touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 9l behind Gramm (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Parkview Love (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 13, 17l behind Swords (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Aug.
Kansas Gold 11-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, mid-division, effort 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 28l behind Tous Les Deux (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Darley Star 5-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, driven to lead 2f out, soon ridden and ran on well, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Oct beating King of Connacht (8-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
Sir Liam (USA) 9-2 (9-6) Held up, headway 7f out, ridden 3f out, led briefly well inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Bundle Up (8-13) at Brighton 1m 4f sll hcp (6) gf in Aug.
