disputed lead, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong
disputed lead, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leaders over 2f, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, closed over 2f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, ran on to lead last strides
held up in rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, raced keenly in rear, not much room on inside over 3f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, challenged entering final furlong, not quicken towards finish
led over 1f, with leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, never dangerous
disputed lead 1f, chased leaders, soon slightly outpaced, closed well over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, rider soon dropped whip, headed last strides
slowly into stride, held up in rear, hampered on inside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
TABOOR may be eleven years of age but he's no back number and is fancied to take this prize. Nordic Light and Nawaaff should be prominent amongst the challengers. It will also be worth keeping an eye on Bold Minstrel who has been given every chance by the handicapper as he's dropped a remarkable 20lbs in just a handful of runs. That is a reflection of his form but he may have been freshened up by his short break. Taboor brings sound claims to the table as an in-form course and distance winner. He's always going to need a little luck in running given his tendency to get behind early in his races but he's been finishing strongly of late and may get the gaps that he deserves. Nordic Light hasn't been the most consistent but went close over course and distance last time so he makes the short-list in the hope that he can reproduce that level of form. Nawaaff hasn't managed to get his head in front for a long time but is another that comes into the race on the back of some reasonable performances and looks likely to feature prominently. The selection is a horse that knows how to win and it's for that reason that we prefer Taboor.
Bold Minstrel (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Led stands side group until over 1f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 8l behind Top Bid (9-2) at Nottingham 5f hcp (6) hvy in Nov.
Mister Incredible 28-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Kingsmaite (10-11) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Ben 50-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 12l behind Interactive (8-12) at Kempton 6f sll (5) pol in Jan.
Fitolini 40-1 (9-0) Started slowly, held up, ridden and no chance over 1f out, 11th of 13, 18l behind Sarah's Art (9-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Nawaaff 11-2 (8-10) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Davids Mark (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Taboor (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Muktasb (11-4) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Affirmatively 33-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, mainly in rear, 11th of 12, 9l behind Ardent Prince (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Town House 22-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 9l behind Whozart (11-3) at Catterick 5f amt hcp (6) gd in Oct.
Briery Lane (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, kept on same pace over 1f out, 6th of 13, 3l behind Muktasb (11-4) at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Nordic Light (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Outpaced in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Honest Value (9-6) at W'hampton 5f app stk (7) pol in Jan.
Lady Hopeful (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 7l behind Honest Value (9-6) at W'hampton 5f app stk (7) pol in Jan.
Desert Light (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) In rear, hampered when switching right over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 6l behind Honest Value (9-6) at W'hampton 5f app stk (7) pol in Jan.
Flying Indian 66-1 (8-9) Led, headed over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 7l behind Mocha Java (8-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan.