took keen hold, raced wide in mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
raced wide towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd close home
chased winner, ridden and carried right over 1f out, no impression when lost 2nd well inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
in rear, ridden along 3f out, headway under pressure and stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong, eased
dwelt, soon pushed along towards rear and keen soon after, not much room 3f out, weakened soon after
soon in mid-division on inside, pushed along over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner well inside final furlong, just held
made all, set steady pace until quickened over 2f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, kept on gamely
chased leading trio until over 2f out, weakened soon after
took keen hold in touch, lost place 4f out, ridden entering final 3f, soon struggling
A top quality but tight handicap finishes off proceedings where listed winner BEAUCHAMP XERXES seems to have the strongest form claims. That listed win came at Goodwood in May and after some lesser efforts he looked back to form when finding just one too good in a similar race to this last time. That said he does go best when freshened up from a break so the 13 days rest is a worry. Mr Willis looks the biggest danger after a narrow defeat at Lingfild when 2lb better off while Chapter And Verse has been put significantly up in the weights despite defeat last time out. Rjeef is one win from one try at this track and after a good run in a red hot Newbury handicap when last seen has a chance but Beauchamp Xeres looks to have the strongest form claims.
Beauchamp Xerxes 18-1 (9-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Brick Red (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Mia's Boy 14-1 (9-0) Held up in 5th, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 7l behind Kingsfort (8-11) at Newmarket 1m Listed stks (1) gs in Oct.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 25-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, last of 6, 6l behind Secrecy (9-3) at Kempton 1m stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Aug.
Chapter And Verse (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Dwelt, in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, soon ridden, effort entering final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Kindest (9-1) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
Sarah Park (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, keeping on one pace when not much room inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Aspectoflove (9-3) at Lingfield 1m flls lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Mr Willis 20-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Quick Wit (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Rjeef (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leader in centre group, ridden to lead over 2f out until 2f, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Meezaan (8-12) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Big Bay (USA) 50-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 13l behind Brick Red (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Baylini 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Tinshu (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct.
Fastnet Storm (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in 4th on inside, ridden well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Green Destiny (8-8) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Oct.
Seradim 8-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, tracked leader, took narrow lead well over 1f out, narrowly headed entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Ottoman Empire (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (2) pol.
Ocean Legend (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Led far side group, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression with stands side, 8th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Rosko (9-3) at Ascot 7f ladys hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Nightjar (USA) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 16th of 19, 14l behind Clumber Place (8-7) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
