tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
led, headed 1f out, hampered inside final furlong when weakening
slowly into stride, held up in rear, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, edged right entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no impression
held up mid-division, headway 3f out, hung left over 1f out, led 1f out, driven out
Prince Noel just gets the vote in a wide open contest, Magroom and Tri Chara are just two of the dangers. The selection has hit a decent patch of form, having landed a couple of modest races, before running a close third here behind Mighty Mover in a competitive handicap. A repeat of that last effort should see him go close today. Magroom returned to winning ways last time out, landing a class five handicap at Bath. This surface is an unknown, but if he handles it he will prove a tough nut to crack. Tri Chara showed improved form last time out when chasing home Distiller over a slightly longer trip. That is quite solid form in the context of this race and another big run is expected. Alexander Guru can also make his presence felt despite top-weight, but Prince Noel looks the pick of the weights this afternoon and he gets the decision.
Alexander Guru 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Quaglino Way (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 14l behind Paymaster General (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Fish Called Johnny 28-1 (8-10) Started slowly, always in rear, never a factor, last of 12, 9l behind Ebraam (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Tri Chara (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Held up, not much room on bend 7f out, headway well over 1f out, every chance final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Distiller (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Krakatau (FR) 33-1 (8-13) Mid-division, behind from halfway, 13th of 14, 15l behind Calabaza (8-8) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct.
Magroom 13-2 (8-5) Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct beating Myfrenchconnection (8-7) by 1l, 16 ran.
Joyful Tears (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) In rear, effort over 2f out, ran wide over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 5l behind Goose Green (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Tommy Tobougg 16-1 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Cool Ebony (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Fowey (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Led over 7f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 13l behind Picky (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Prince Noel 7-4fav (8-12) Steadied start, headway over 2f out, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Mighty Mover (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.