made all, ridden clear 2f out, readily
held up, never dangerous
in touch, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
mid-division and keen, driven and one pace final 2f
held up, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, driven and one pace final 2 furlongs
LITTLE CARMELA got the run of the race when winning last time out at Kempton but her record on the all-weather is good and we will side with her despite a 6lb rise in the weights; Roman Villa joins the perennial runner-up's Potentiale and Arts Guild on the shortlist. The most intriguing horse in the line-up is Roman Villa. Rated in the 120's over timber, he was not fancied on a recent run at the track but if the money came he could prove interesting, despite only winning two of his 36 races to date. However preference is for Little Carmela. Stuart Williams' filly was a ready winner last time and her jockey's claim negates most of her rise in the weights; from a good draw she should run well granted a truly run race. Potentiale continues to run well without winning, whilst William's Way ran well behind Epsom Salts last time and is now dangerously well-treated on old form. Penang Cinta may appreciate a return to the all-weather having chased home Blazing Bailey last time, whilst Arts Guild is less exposed than most but is yet to record a maiden success. A competitive heat, but Little Carmela is taken to lead them home.
Nobelix (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out until 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 13l behind Falcativ (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Kames Park (IRE) 10-3fav (9-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Wind Flow (9-11) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Potentiale (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Slowly into stride, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Arts Guild (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to dispute lead and every chance just inside final furlong, soon outpaced by winner, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sibi Saba (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov.
William's Way 25-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway on inside approaching 2f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 16, 3l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Little Carmela 14-1 (9-8) Behind, raced keenly, headway on far rail over 2f out, led entering final 2f, clear final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Torrens (9-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Penang Cinta 14-1 (9-10) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway and chased leaders well over 1f out, not quicken and one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Blazing Bailey (9-8) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Roman Villa (USA) 28-1 (9-3) Virtually refused to race, always rear and tailed off final 5f, last of 13, well behind Master At Arms (9-6) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
