soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied and led close home and headed line
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, hard ridden and switched right inside final furlong, led line
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed close home
in touch, ridden over 1f out to chase leaders, no extra close home
never a factor
mid-division and keen, headway on inside over 1f out, not much room and one pace
slowly into stride, ridden over 3f out, soon held
Nonrunner
Although the top-weight is 4lb below the 75 rated ceiling for this contest, only 4lb separates the entire field. Eastern Gift took full advantage of a low handicap mark last time out and although he did not have much in hand come the business end. Dropping back in trip here to seven furlongs should not inconvenience him. Nightjar is another that scored off a career low mark at Southwell on his latest start where he was dropping down to nine furlongs. The question if whether the deep surface on the polytrack brought about that improvement and whether he will be as effective back on polytrack. Networker and Caprio are two others that deserve some consideration. Networker returned to form last time at Kempton with a good third and a re-production would see him involved while Caprio should be all the better for his recent return at Lingfield which followed a near five month absence. Eastern Gift is the nomination to land it.
Nightjar (USA) 9-1 (8-6) Held up behind leaders, smooth progress over 1f out, quickened to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Resplendent Nova (9-2) by 3l, 10 ran.
Bridge of Fermoy (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, led narrowly approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Trafalgar Square (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Carnivore 14-1 (8-8) Steadied start, held up towards rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 12l behind Resplendent Nova (8-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Carmenero (GER) 4-1jt-fav (9-3) Towards rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, stayed on again, not reached leaders, 5th of 12, 3l behind I Confess (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Eastern Gift 11-4fav (9-3) Track leaders, ridden over 1f out, hard driven to lead line, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Jake The Snake (9-6) by a shd, 13 ran.
Caprio (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Joined leader from wide draw after 1f, led 3f out, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 11, 7l behind My Gacho (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Bright Falcon 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened, last of 9, 25l behind Right Option (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept.
Networker 6-1 (9-5) Steadied start, soon mid-division, headway on inside travelling well over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sofia's Star (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Chrystal Venture (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Led over 1f, remained prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened quickly, eased, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Mister New York (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Willie Ever 11-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Bold Cross (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Aug.
