chased leaders until ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong
held up, ridden well over 1f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, held up on outside, lost touch over 2f out, tailed off
took keen hold, always prominent, came wide entering straight, ran on strongly well inside final furlong, just failed
held up, ridden and headway when edged right just over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer
held up, switched right to outside over 2f out, never dangerous
always prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, just held on
mid-division, headway on inside well over 1f out, chased winner 1f out until no extra towards finish
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
A competitive finale sees Prince Tum Tum, Norcroft and Prince Cyrano short-listed with the selection being Prince Tum Tum. A return to his level of form here in December 2005 and January 2006 would make Prince Tum Tum a leading player tonight, while Mambazo, who will be having his third race in six days, holds claims under a penalty based on his recent course and distance win. That said, he is closely weighted with Kennington, Prince Tum Tum, who was noted staying on that day, and Norcroft - who does seem to like it here - based on that effort. Cornus could also be said to have dropped to a good mark based on his November 2005 form here, so give him some thought, while Prince Cyrano rates as a major player given that he now races from just a pound above his June course-and-distance winning rating. Harrison's Flyer is another to have dropped to a decent mark based on his best efforts on the all-weather in 2005, so he can be given a shout, but Count Cougar needs to keep the improvement coming if he is to play a major part in tonight's proceedings. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Prince Tum Tum.
Lake Garda 10-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Cape (9-1) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Prince Tum Tum (USA) 4-1fav (9-5) Held up, ridden and headway when hampered 1f out, stayed on, 7th of 13, 2l behind Mambazo (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Anchor Date 40-1 (8-8) Always behind, 11th of 12, 6l behind Paris Bell (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Mambazo 9-2 (8-10) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, closing near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Grand Show (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Norcroft 10-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon hung right, edged left inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra, 8th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Mambazo (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Prince Cyrano 7-1 (9-1) Led early, prominent, ridden halfway, every chance when not much room over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 10th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Mambazo (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Harrison's Flyer (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Held up in touch, chased leaders from over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Kennington (9-9) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Count Cougar (USA) 5-1 (8-10) Always prominent, led over 2f out, driven out, won at Southwell 6f hcap (5) fbs in May beating Vienna's Boy (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
