missed break, made up lost ground to race in last pair after 2f, driven over 2f out, switched left and headway under pressure over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, unable to challenge
made all, ridden 2f out, edged right and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, held on well
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, not quite reach leaders
tracked winner, driven and effort 2f out, ridden over 1f out, carried right and kept on inside final furlong, always just held
held up behind, outpaced 3f out, never involved
tracked winner, driven over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken 1f out, lost place inside final furlong
Michele Strogoff bids for a hat-trick of course and distance wins having made all on both recent occasions. But MILITARY LAW has the scope to take advantage of the former’s front-running tactics and John Gosden’s charge gets the nod on his handicap debut having gone close carrying a penalty in novice company at Lingfield. This Girl steps up in trip having placed over a mile here when handicapping for the first time but Illustrissime drops back down in distance having run well since winning over 1m4f at Catterick back in October.
Michele Strogoff 11-2 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 2f out, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Derek Duval (9-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
Military Law 11-8 (9-9) Led 8f out, joined over 2f out, soon clear with winner, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Mainsail Atlantic (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Dec.
High Acclaim (USA) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 4 out, never able to challenge, 5th of 11, 27 1/2l behind Umbrigado (10-12) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec.
This Girl 8-1 (9-0) Dwelt in touch towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 2l behind Contrive (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp fll (3) pol in Dec.
Illustrissime (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway and switched left over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, soon ridden, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Loud And Clear (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Argus (IRE) 100-1 (8-1) Dwelt tracked leaders after 1f, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 12 1/2l behind Pipes Of Peace (8-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Central City (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along and no impression 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Matterhorn (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
