mid-division, ridden 7f out, soon lost place and weakened 5f out, tailed off
slowly into stride, behind, headway from over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
pressed leader, led over 8f out, headed over 4f out, gradually weakened
in rear, headway on inside 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
started very slowly, in rear, headway 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, took 2nd near finish
slowly into stride, soon in touch, led over 4f out, headed and edged left inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
towards rear, weakened quickly over 5f out, soon tailed off
led until headed over 8f out, weakened over 5, tailed off
held up in touch, no headway 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced on outer, behind, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, chasing leaders when slightly hampered and switched left over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
Nonrunner
A competitive contest gets proceedings underway but something has to win and the principals look to be Living On A Prayer, Dubai Ace and Born West and the vote is given to Living On A Prayer. The selection won well last time out when beating Riquat, he returns to the All-Weather on a handy mark and from a good draw he looks the one to be on. Dubai Ace rates the main danger on his latest second behind Diamond Key and despite top weight he will not be far away. Born West is another worthy of respect on his latest fourth behind Featherlight but he looks weighted up to his best. Blue Hills is another last time out winner that could go well. He beat Young Scotton last time out and he should be watched in the market but the drop in trip is a slight worry. Of the remainder Cumbrian Knight is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with and with this in mind for the winner we return to Living On A Prayer,
Dubai Ace (USA) 14-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Diamond Key (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Pocketwood 12-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders to 2f out, kept on until weakened 1f out, 6th of 13, 6l behind Rehearsed (9-13) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Blue Hills 9-1 (9-8) Led after 1f at steady pace, quickened up over 2f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Young Scotton (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Zalkani (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 5l behind Blue Hills (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-0) Started slowly and towards rear, headway over 4f out, effort when not much room over 2f out, driven and every chance over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Snowberry Hill (10-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Born West (USA) 15-8fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, 4th of 12, 14l behind Featherlight (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
Raquel White 15-2 (9-12) Pulled hard, always with leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Blue Hedges (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Proper Article (IRE) 28-1 (8-5) In touch, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 10, 5l behind Jazrawy (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Gatecrasher 33-1 (10-10) Prominent, ridden along over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 21l behind Snowberry Hill (10-10) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Living On A Prayer 9-4 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead well over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gd in Nov beating Rigat (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Royal Sailor (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Blue Hedges (10-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Ronsard (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 5l behind Up In Arms (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Friends Hope 3-1fav (9-2) Held up and behind, effort and ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 6th of 10, 8l behind Altilhar (9-7) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug '06.
