not much room after start, held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway well over 1f out, staying on when hampered inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway well over 1f out, carried left entering final furlong, led well inside last, driven out
chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
went left start, held up, headway well over 1f out, one pace
held up, headway on inner over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on same pace
held up, reminders over 4f out, one pace from over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
VICTORY SPIRIT has the form to win this at the expense of Tarkamara and Turkish Sultan. The selection has not won for over two years but is relatively lightly raced. He has run well on both his all weather runs this winter catching the eye when second to Wakita over course and distance on his penultimate outing. This looks a race well within his grasp so if recapturing his best he is difficult to oppose. Takamara is five pounds higher in the weights since winning at Lingfield. He was not beaten far when stepped up in trip last time out and can once again be in the shake up. Turkish Sultan has never been the easiest to win with but he has been entering the frame of late so has to be respected, however for the winner we return to Victory Spirit.
Victory Spirit 4-1jt-fav (8-11) Held up in touch, effort entering final 2f, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Cavalry Guard (8-5) at Lingfield 7f app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Moyoko (IRE) 18-1 (8-10) Steadied start, keen and always towards rear, 9th of 12, 18l behind Cherri Fosfate (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Zabeel House 14-1 (9-2) Mid-division 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 19l behind Mr Chocolate Drop (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Whodunit (UAE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, shaken up and ridden clear 3f out, no extra when headed over 1f out, weakening when hung right under pressure inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 10l behind Sky Quest (8-10) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Tapas Lad (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed 2f, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Tri Chara (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Semah Harold 11-1 (8-7) Prominent for 5f, 10th of 14, 15l behind United Nations (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Kansas Gold 22-1 (8-11) Tracked leader after 2f, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened quickly well over 1f out, 10th of 12, 15l behind Pab Special (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Giddywell 9-2 (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dream of Olwyn (9-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
Tarkamara (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Northern Dune (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) In rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, gaining towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Mr Chocolate Drop (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Scutch Mill (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Slowly away, took keen hold and well in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, soon driven and no impression, 7th of 11, 10l behind The Grey One (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Jarvo 10-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Northern Dune (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Atlantic Gamble (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) With leader, raced keenly, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 10l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
