in touch, lost place 4f out, headway under pressure under 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division 6f out, weakened over 2f out
took keen hold, soon with leader, led over 5f out, clear 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left, headed well inside final furlong
led, headed over 5f out, chased leader till 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, gaining towards finish
mid-division, raced keenly, headway and switched left just over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out until 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
Nonrunner
In a poor contest the verdict goes the way of MARMOOQ with King Of Beers and Alf Tupper the only other two looking to have realistic claims. The pick was a winner last time out over a slightly shorter trip at Kempton, which was his sixth win on the surface. He has been raised only four pounds for that success, which seems fair, and has one twice over this trip. King Of Bears is still below his last winning mark, which came in July 2007 over a much longer trip. He has looked good over this distance with a decent looking runners-up spot on his penultimate start, from which the form stands up well, but he followed it up with a laboured effort when well backed last time. If he can repeat the form of his penultimate effort he'll be close. Alf Tupper is now rated six pounds higher than his last time out victory over a slightly longer trip here. That was his first run in the UK but his 34th attempt to get his head in front and it could be that he needs the extra furlong to be at his best. That said the manner of that victory suggests further success this winter but it might not be this time.
Marmooq 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, effort 2f out, led final furlong, ridden out, won at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Thabaat (8-7) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
King of The Beers (USA) 2-1fav (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge, stayed on same pace, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Double Valentine (8-11) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol.
Zabeel House 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon struggling, last of 13, 24l behind Latin Scholar (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Ardent Prince 33-1 (8-8) Dwelt, in rear, never able to challenge, 5th of 11, 8l behind Red Somerset (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol.
Alf Tupper 7-1 (8-6) Slowly away, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Lujano (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Muncaster Castle (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Soon chased leader to 6f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, last of 11, 39l behind Wakita (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Oct.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 10-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Alf Tupper (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Actuality 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge in 2nd 2f out, ridden in 3rd and no extra 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Countess Petrushka (9-6) at Dundalk 1m hcp 0-60 pol in Nov.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Held up and keen, effort over 2f out, plugged on under pressure, 8th of 13, 7l behind Plush (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
First In Show 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 20l behind Tropical Tradition (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Nov.
Pajada 33-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out until weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 21l behind Royal Island (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Charlie Allnut 20-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 11l behind Templetuohy Max (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Tip Top Style 12-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened well over 2f out, 7th of 14, 10l behind Im Ova Ere Dad (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan '07.
