led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in last pair, pushed along inside final 3f, soon one pace, plugged on inside final furlong
steadied start, held up in last pair, smooth headway on outside 2f out, led just over 1f out, stayed on well
chased leading pair, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leader, led 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, headed soon after, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong
Christmas Carnival should be up to winning more races this year but there's a doubt if this longer trip will suit, and the same comment applies to Ahlawy who scored over the extended mile here last time. No such doubts surround SIR BOSS who landed hat trick over today's distance at Kempton earlier in the year and looks capable of winning again off his current mark. Layla's Dancer ended her losing run in a claimer at Lingfield in February and has place claims in this better company.
Christmas Carnival 9-1 (8-13) Settled in mid-division, headway over 2f out, effort when edged right over 1f out, stayed on well, 4th of 14, 6l behind Taqleed (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug.
Ahlawy (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Mar beating Just Bond (9-7) by nk, 8 ran.
Sir Boss (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, not clear run over 2f out, got through to chase winner over 1f out, ran on to close inside final fulong, never going to get there, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Sweet Origin (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Saint Thomas (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) In touch, headway over 3f out, went 3rd inside final 3f, went 2nd and hung left inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Captain John Nixon (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Layla's Dancer 3-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon hard ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Accumulate (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.