held up, hampered and not clear run well over 2f out, headway entering straight, switched left just over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
pressed leader, led over 5f out until 3f out, weakened quickly well over 2f out, tailed off
mid-division, headway 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
in rear when slightly hampered soon after start, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, to lead well inside final furlong
in rear, headway well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
set good pace, headed over 5f out, led again over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leading pair, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, outpaced and behind, always in rear
chased leaders 3f
A competitive heart here with Teasing and Parkview Love likely to be leading players and both Nuit Sombre and Okikoki respected, and we will side with Parkview Love. Derek Shaw's gelding ran on well to win over c&d last time and is just 2lb higher here and can follow up from a decent draw. Teasing is 5lb higher than when winning over the trip at Wolverhampton in October and although close twice since he looks just a shade too high in the weights. Nuit Sombre gave 9lb and half length beating to Okikoki when the pair were first and second at Catterick a month ago and is confidently expected to confirm that form off level weights here provided he handles the track. Grimes Faith looks best of the rest, but Parkview Love gets the nod.
Teasing 13-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Titan Triumph (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Carmenero (GER) 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway ver 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra closing stages, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Titan Triumph (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Grimes Faith 18-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, hung left and headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 21, 2l behind Gunfighter (8-13) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) gf in Nov.
Angaric (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 7th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Nuit Sombre (9-3) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Nov.
Painted Sky 33-1 (10-4) Always behind, no chance final 2f, 8th of 13, 13l behind Rehearsed (9-13) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Parkview Love (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway well over 4f out, went 2nd well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Elusive Warrior (8-5) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Okikoki 8-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden and headway 2f out, edged left 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Nuit Sombre (9-3) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Nov.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-3) Made all, ridden entering final furlong, held on well, won at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Nov beating Okikoki (8-8) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Nicada (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Den's Gift (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Pietersen (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 7l behind King's Bastion (9-4) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Robinzal 7-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, never going pace to trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Parkview Love (9-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
