led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
raced wide close up, pushed along 5f out, chased leader 3f out, led inside final furlong, readily
travelled strongly in touch in rear, progress to track leaders over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, not run on
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leader until ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
LA ESTRELLA is back for more after almost a year on the sidelines. If the veteran is anywhere near his best, he should equal China Castle's record of 25 all-weather victories in this as he has the highest rating of these and is four from four at the track. The danger is probably Investissement, who has been keeping much better company lately. He was only beaten a short-head over 1m6f here in the summer in a Class 4 handicap. The three-year-old Love Tangle may prove the pick of the remainder ahead of Noguchi.
Investissement 12-1 (9-10) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 10l behind Mymatechris (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
La Estrella (USA) 4-7fav (9-10) Made virtually all, driven 2 lengths clear over 2f out, ridden and joined when edged right inside final furlong, stayed on gamely towards finish, won at Lingfield 2m clm stks (6) pol in Jan beating While You Wait (9-7) by nk, 4 ran.
Matraash (USA) 5-1 (9-2) In rear, switched to outer 3f out, ridden 2f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, never on terms, 11th of 14, 9l behind Rakaan (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Noguchi (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Nolecce (8-6) at Haydock 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Leyland (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Always in rear, 10th of 11, 10l behind Planetoid (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Love Tangle (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Raced in 2nd, under pressure approaching 3f out, no extra and eased from over 2f out, tailed off,, last of 10, 46l behind Pyromaniac (9-8) at Galway 1m 4f hcp 50-80 in Aug.