keen, tracked winner, ridden 2f out, soon no impression
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong
made all, ridden clear over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
held up, wide and short lived effort 2f out
pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, staying on when switched left inside final furlong, never nearer
Tourist and ARTEUS both arrive here in rude health and narrow preference is for the latter who can take this from Derek Shaw's horse with Hellbender best of the rest. Jane Chapple-Hyam's improving three-year-old defied the handicapper when winning bravely last time and can do so again under Shane Kelly, with today's draw of stall four helpful for one who has forced the pace of late. A 3lb rise for that last success does not seem too harsh and this unexposed performer can land the hat-trick today. Tourist is another who comes into the race in top form as the winner of two of his last three starts. The gelding did well to win last time over six furlongs and whilst a 6lb rise for that victory might look harsh the horse can improve further for this extra furlong, as he showed when winning over course and distance back in October. This mark of 81 is a career high but as a gelding in top form and possibly still improving he cannot be discounted. Hellbender's winning run came to an end at Lingfield last time but that race was a bit better than today's and Sylvester Kirk's three-year-old may well bounce back set a more realistic task here. Back down to a mark of 78 having scored of just 2lbs lower, this winner of a third of his all-weather starts should run a big race under Dane O'Neill. Of the remainder Autumn Blades continues to run well but this strong travelling sort wins all too infrequently for one of his ability whilst Chief Exec finished behind our selection last time and a pull in the weights might not be enough to reverse that form. A decent seven furlong handicap this one and it can pay to side with Arteus.
Tourist 11-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear on outside, good headway well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden clear, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Perlachy (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Gallantry 15-2 (9-5) Held up in rear, good headway on inside over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind King's Colour (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Toto Skyllachy 11-1 (9-2) In touch, led over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 20, 8l behind Jordaura (8-11) at Doncaster 7f app hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Hellbender (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Soon pushed along in rear, outpaced over 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 8l behind Elna Bright (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Arteus 8-1 (9-3) Made virtually all, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, hard driven and stayed on gamely, in command inside final furlong, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Tuxedo (9-1) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Autumn Blades (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) Dwelt, mid-division, effort approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind King's Colour (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Dancing Maite 5-1 (8-13) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, never able to challenge, 6th of 9, 6l behind Ingleby Arch (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
Kashimin (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In rear, never near leaders, 8th of 12, 13l behind Tamasou (8-12) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Nov.
Chief Exec 7-1 (9-5) Reared leaving stalls, behind, headway on inside to chase leaders 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Arteus (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
