towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always in the rear
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out to chase leaders, kept on
led after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
broke well, soon headed, stayed prominent, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, ridden out
prominent, led 3f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden 3f out and weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, gradually weakened
Bold Diktator stands out as the one to beat and is preferred over Chia and Grey Boy. The selection won well last time when beating Imperial Lucky at Lingfield and his new connections seem to have found they key to getting the best out of him. He has a good draw and could prove difficult to peg back. Chia is the obvious danger as she was not winning out of turn here last time after finishing runner-up in four of her previous five races. Grey Boy will be suited by the step-up in trip and has to be considered from a good draw. Pab Special ran well last time and is another that could have place claims, but Bold Diktator has plenty in his favour and gets the vote.
Grey Boy (GER) 4-1 (8-11) In touch, not clear run briefly over 2f out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Writ (8-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Samuel Charles 12-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, losing place when not much room over 1f out, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Councellor (FR) 33-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, not quicken, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (8-8) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Luckylover 7-2 (9-8) Led, headed over 2f out, kept on under strong pressure inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Pop Music (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Bold Diktator 3-1 (8-11) Dictated steady pace, quickened tempo over 2f out, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Imperial Lucky (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Pab Special (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Prominent, led 3f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Writ (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Chia (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Always prominent, led briefly well over 1f out, soon driven along and edged left, regained lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Bavarica (8-10) by 2l, 9 ran.
Defi (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Broke well and led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 9l behind Topiary Ted (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Jan.