held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
hampered soon after start, held up, ridden 2f out, never near leaders
held up, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous
held up, headway 5f out, chased winner over 3f out until entering final furlong, no extra
led, headed over 9f out, chased winner after, ridden and lost 2nd over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, hampered over 9f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
took keen hold tracking leaders, lost place over 7f out, headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, stayed on
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, edged left and one pace final furlong
hampered soon after start, hung right throughout, good headway to lead over 9f out, clear over 2f out, switched right to race against stands side entering straight, ridden out
chased leader until over 9f out, remained prominent, hampered and lost place over 3f out, soon ridden, headway and hung left over 1f out, hung both ways inside final furlong, one pace
Withdrawn
This is a tricky contest to assess and a narrow vote is given to Lake Poet, Quince and La Estrella have to be considered major threats. Clive Brittain's three-year-old has taken on some decent handicappers in a busy season and did manage to a class two event at Newmarket off a mark of 84. The handicapper has now relented and off his current rating he should be capable of regaining the winning thread. Quince took advantage of a tumble in the handicap to win last time out. He landed a hat-trick in September of last year and a follow up today is not out of the question. La Estrella also hit winning form last time out, comfortably beating Chasing The Dream. The extra distance here is bit of a concern but if he does stay he should be involved in the finish. Dream Catcher would have chance on the pick of last season's form and Ocean Pride has claims with bottom weight, however Lake Poet is well treated on early season form and he gets the nod.
Mr Jack Daniells (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Prominent, 3rd halfway, lost place 3f out, kept on same pace straight, 6th of 14, 8l behind Eagle's Pass (8-4) at Leopardstown 1m 2f hcp gs in Nov.
Solarias Quest 22-1 (8-11) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 16th of 18, 10l behind Camrose (9-12) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug '05.
Pass The Port 9-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Polish Power (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (4) pol.
Lake Poet (IRE) 2-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, led 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind St Savarin (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Nov.
La Estrella (USA) 11-4jt-fav (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Chasing A Dream (8-12) by 2l, 10 ran.
Quince (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-13) In touch, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led and hung right inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Pass The Port (9-3) by a nk, 8 ran.
Inch Lodge 7-2 (9-8) Tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 6l behind Prime Contender (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Ocean Pride (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Mid-division, ridden to lead over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f clm (6) pol beating Ciccone (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
