held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra towards finish
held up, switched right well over 2f out, headway when not clear run well over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, went 2nd close home
made all, raced keenly, hung right final 2f, driven out
pushed along, soon prominent, chased winner 4f out, hung left and lost 2nd well over 1f out, not ran on
slowly away, headway halfway, weakened well over 1f out
chased winner 3f, soon lost place, no danger after
One More Round is the clear pick at the weights but he looks worth taking on with Obe Royal whilst Sir Douglas makes most appeal of the remainder. The Ollie Pears trained veteran has been in fine form since being dropped to this grade but this trip stretches his stamina; in contrast, it suits Obe Royal ideally. Sir Douglas was giving Obe Royal 9lbs when going down by 2 lengths over course and distance last week so has an obvious chance of reversing the form. He has filled the runner-up's berth on four occasions over this course and distance but always gives the impression that this trip stretches his stamina to the limit. There are no such concerns for David Evans's runner who struggled to land a blow in a handicap last time but Obe Royal looks capable of regaining winning ways back in this company.
One More Round (USA) 11-4 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd final strides, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Benllech (8-6) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Obe Royal 2-1fav (8-7) Held up and behind, not much room and switched right over 3f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Alto Vertigo (8-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Sir Douglas 8-1 (9-5) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden over 1f out, swerved left entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Obe Royal (8-10) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol.
Circus Polka (USA) 4-1 (9-1) Chased leader to 4f out, hard ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 11, 7l behind Dickie Le Davoir (9-1) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Mountain Pass (USA) 14-1 (8-8) Steadied start, took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Ninth House (9-1) at Lingfield 1m app clm (6) pol in Dec.
Spy Gun (USA) 11-1 (7-12) Behind, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 8l behind Winthorpe (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.