chased leaders, ridden and edged left over and led 1f out, driven out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, late headway over 1f out, never near to challenge
behind, soon outpaced, ridden over 2f out, headway final furlong, kept on, not troubled leaders
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
soon behind, driven along, never dangerous
mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
outpaced behind, headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along, behind over 2f out
A decent event can go to Kostar ahead of Les Arcs, Bahiano, Prince Tum Tum and Trinculo. Kostar caught the eye on his last outing here at the start of December when just touched off by Bonus, that run being all the more creditable as it was his first since July. His ability to lie up with the pace, plus a decent low draw in stall four should help the Clive Cox-trained inmate to run a big race under Adam Kirby who can take a valuable three-pounds off his back. Bahiano has a losing run of 27 to overcome but he is most consistent, while Les Arcs also goes well here and should make his presence felt despite a six-pound rise. Last year's winner Prince Tum Tum has dropped to a favourable mark again but needs things to fall right. However he has the right man in the plate in Eddie Ahern so has to be on the list, and he should at least hold Trinculo on last year's form, the latter having finished fourth that day. Quiet Times was third in the aforementioned race and has first-time cheekpieces to help his cause here, so is yet another that cannot be totally ruled out. All in all, this is a competitive little affair in which Kostar, with plenty going for him, gets the nod.
Les Arcs (USA) 11-2 (8-4) Slowly into stride, keen, held up, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec beating Fromsong (8-13) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lake Andre (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Prominent on outside, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 13, 10l behind Bonus (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Kostar 7-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Bonus (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Bahiano (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden to chase leading pair 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Red Spell (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Middleton Grey 12-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, behind, short-lived effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 7l behind Bonus (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Russian Symphony (USA) 5-2fav (8-11) Held up in touch, lost place over 3f out, soon ridden and beaten, last of 11, 8l behind Les Arcs (8-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Quiet Times (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Dwelt and towards rear, soon chased along, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 15l behind Fyodor (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Chateau Nicol 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Les Arcs (8-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Katiypour (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, raced wide, towards rear, never nearer, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Les Arcs (8-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Prince Tum Tum (USA) 5-2fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Will He Wish (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Cornus 14-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Les Arcs (8-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Trinculo (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Fyodor (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Legal Set (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 9, hd behind Rock Fever (8-4) at Lingfield 5f stk (7) pol in Dec.
