mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong
held up, not clear run 2f out, never dangerous
soon led, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, ran on towards finish
mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led early, prominent, chased winner over 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
with winner, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
slowly into stride, towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
soon pushed along towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, bumped inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden when lost place and not clear run 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Obrigado is taken to beat Hail The Chief, Dr Thong and Master Theo, with Zarabad another for the mix. Obrigado came from behind to score at Lingfield last month on what was his first outing on the all-weather since September of last year, and on a line through Waterside whom he beat narrowly, he should hold Hail The Chief who was behind the latter last time. Hail The Chief is not the horse that he once was, but there was a lot to like about the way that he went about his task here 10 days ago when only headed on the run to the line. He is not badly handicapped on form of old, and the extra furlong can be in his favour as well as he bids to register a first success since January 2004. However, the form-book points to Obrigado. Dr Thong has the assistance of the in-form Eddie Ahern, but meets Hail The Chief on the same terms as 10 days ago, while Zarabad has his first outing for Karl Burke after leaving Sir Michael Stoute, and will come on for the run. Master Theo has minor claims as well, but Obrigado has taken well to this surface and should pay to follow again.
Master Theo (USA) 20-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Cimyla (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Hail The Chief 22-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led 3f out, kept on well until headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Waterside (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Obrigado (USA) 13-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway and wide from 2f out, ridden and ran on to lead post, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Red Romeo (9-2) by a shd, 12 ran.
Zarabad (IRE) 13-2 (8-6) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Rio Riva (8-6) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Dr Thong 5-1fav (8-12) Mid-division, short of room inside final 2f, switched right, ran on final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Waterside (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Overlord Way (GR) 14-1 (9-3) Soon led, ridden over 1f out and headed, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 8l behind Trifti (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Libre 14-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Granston (9-9) at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on, no extra 1f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 4l behind Waterside (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
