GOLD EXPRESS can be excused for his latest effort having missed the break but a re-production of his third placing at Nottingham would see him go very close to landing this. The lightly raced Chosen Forever and the top-weight Lend A Grand could emerge as the biggest threat. Stepping up to seven furlongs from five furlongs is the relative unknown where Gold Express is concerned but it has looked on his recent outings that the minimum trip is on the sharp side for him. The worry would be his tendency to race keenly which if a slow pace existed would become a major concern. Chosen Forever broke his maiden tag on debut over six furlongs at Doncaster and although yet to score in three attempts over seven furlongs, has shaped with enough promise to suggest a victory may not be too far away. Lend A Grand has been disappointing on his five UK starts to now but has slipped down the weights and if returning to anything like his old Irish form would also enter calculations. Somerset Falls who looked a non-stayer when stepped up to nine furlongs last time is another to consider while Valentino Swing would have claims back on the all-weather. Gold Express is given the vote to come home in front. (John McDonnell)
Lend A Grand (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, still last 2f out, good headway on inside over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 2l behind Prince Of Thebes (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Gold Express 8-1 (8-0) Steadied start, held up and always in rear, 14th of 16, 12l behind Judge 'n Jury (9-0) at Ascot 5f app hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Maybe I Wont 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, every chance entering final furlong, weakened towards finish, 8th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Strawberry Moon (9-2) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Mr Garston 33-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden over 2f, weakened over 1f, 11th of 13, 11l behind Dan Chillingworth (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Oct.
Chosen Forever 8-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra, 6th of 20, 2l behind Strawberry Moon (9-2) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Valentino Swing (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, 17l behind Sarah Park (9-3) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Somerset Falls (UAE) 17-2 (8-4) Chased leader until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Internationaldebut (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Tobar Suil Lady (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) In rear, last halfway, struggling after, last of 12, 12l behind Royal Challenge (9-5) at W'hampton 6f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Solicitude 40-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong, 8th of 13, 11l behind Bramalea (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Roman Maze 33-1 (9-8) Mid-division, rapid headway to lead over 4f out, ridden 3f out, headed and weakening over 1f out, 11th of 12, 15l behind Alfie Tupper (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
