always behind
in touch, ridden to lead 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed 1f out, not quicken
started slowly, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along halfway, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Mystic Man, Louphole and Norcroft are three against the field in a competitive opener and the vote is given to Mystic Man. The selection was a good second in a better race behind Atlantic Quest last time out. This is easier and off the same mark and from a good draw he will be hard to beat. Louphole rates the main danger as he has dropped to a handy mark and was a fair fourth behind Franksalot last time out. However he has yet to win over this trip and he is opposable on that basis. Norcroft is game and consistent and is sure to have the race run to suit but he looks weighted up to his best. Of the remainder Hadath and Chickado are well handicapped on there best form but are far from consistent and for the winner we return to Mystic Man who at least ran well last time out.
Camp Commander (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden 2f out, no further impression, 6th of 7, 10l behind Azarole (8-8) at Warwick 7f stk (4) gs in Mar.
Mystic Man (FR) 11-10fav (9-5) Held up, headway 3f out, led well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Atlantic Quest (9-5) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Norcroft 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, effort on outside over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 14, 4l behind Wessex (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Lord Chamberlain 25-1 (9-1) Held up, headway on wide outside 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1l behind Ronsard (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Louphole 4-1jt-fav (8-11) Started slowly, soon in touch, lead briefly inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 1l behind Franksalot (8-12) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Speakerboxxx 5-1 (8-11) Mid-division, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 19l behind Quiet Reading (8-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Hadath (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Towards rear, good headway on inside over 1f out, ran on well, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Franksalot (8-12) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Chickado (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 12l behind Quiet Reading (8-8) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.