held up and keen in touch, smooth headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden when headed over 1f out, one pace
prominent, ridden and edged left over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch and keen, ridden 4f out, stayed on towards finish, not reach leaders
always in rear
led after 1f, headed over 5f out, soon weakened
steadied start, held up in rear, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, pushed out
tracked leaders and keen, chased leaders 3f out, one pace
in touch and keen, tracked leader 10f out, led over 5f out, driven and headed over 2f out, soon hampered and lost place
Taxman has the right attitude for a race of this nature and is the preferred option over Millagros and Salute. The last named has been given a chance by the handicapper after struggling since winning a Sandown handicap off 77 in June. Now on a mark of just 66, the Pat Murphy-trained gelding has a solid chance at the weights and is shortlisted as an each-way option. Millagros represents a yard that have a good record with their raids on Wolverhampton prize-money. Ian Semple's charge comes here relatively fresh after a light campaign on the turf and a bold bid cannot be ruled out. However, Taxman - a previous course and distance winner - has the heart for a challenge and he looks the most reliable character to maintain his effort right down to the wire.
Tranquilizer 5-1 (10-0) Set slow pace for 1f, prominent, ridden well over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Rehearsed (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Taxman (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f, hung left from over 1f, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Synonymy (8-1) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcap (5) pol in Oct.
Salute (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Chased winner to over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 16, 28l behind Dr Sharp (9-7) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Millagros (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway on inner over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Escayola (9-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Russian Dream (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, edged left well over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Rehearsed (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Your Amount (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Soon chasing leaders, ridden 4f out, renewed effort and hung left from 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 15, 9l behind Mull of Dubai (9-0) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Sendinpost 5-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Linden Lime (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Ifatfirst (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Raced wide in mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 12l behind Reeling N' Rocking (8-12) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct.
