held up in mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, led inside final 110 yards, kept on
raced keenly and always towards rear
went to post early, tracked leader over 1f, went 2nd again 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed inside final 110 yards, no extra towards finish
raced keenly in mid-division, ridden out wide over 1f out, no great headway
stated very slowly, towards rear, never nearer
raced keenly chasing leaders out wide, went 2nd over 3f out, hung badly right on bend over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong
good speed to lead from wide draw, ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened soon after
wore hood to post, chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge
off the pace in last trio, headway on inside over 1f out, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden out wide and hung left over 1f out, kept on towards finish, not pace to challenge
off the pace towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leading duo
awkwardly away and switched left start, always behind
THE WAITING GAME (NAP) rattled up five wins in a row on the all-weather earlier in the year and gets another chance having failed to get a clear run when beaten a length here last month. Ffos Las winner Brazen Idol could only manage fourth here last time and Beauty Choice is preferred but Starshiba has won twice over longer trips at this venue this year and has switched to Mick Appleby’s in-form yard.
Starshiba 7-1 (9-10) Held up, steady headway on far side from 3f out, every chance when in share of third before 1f out, outpaced inside final furlong, dropped to fifth final fifty yards, 5th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Greatgadian (10-0) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Captain Cuddles (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Close up, pushed along over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 4 1/4l behind Riot (9-11) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
The Waiting Game 5-2fav (9-7) Chased leaders, niggled along on inside 3 out, not clear run inside final furlong, never had chance to challenge, 4th of 9, 3/4l behind Leap Abroad (9-9) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Society Lion 5-1 (9-8) Dwelt in touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 10, 4 3/4l behind Riot (9-8) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Hallowed Time (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear in far side group, ridden to close over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 8th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Screen Siren (9-10) at Navan 5f hcp sft in Oct.
Speedacus (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Midfield, pushed along on far rail 2f out, soon struggling, weakened and dropped to last inside final 110 yards, last of 9, 7 3/4l behind The Thames Boatman (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Gobi Sunset 13-2 (9-8) Took keen hold, chased leader, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Sir Maxi (9-2) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Verdansk 9-1 (9-6) Steadied start, close up, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 16, 6 3/4l behind Momaer (9-6) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Golden Passport 7-2fav (9-7) Chased leader 3f, chased leaders, went 2nd again over 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, ridden and every chance 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 5th and beaten when hampered on rail towards finish, 5th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Poetic Force (9-4) at Brighton 7f hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Brazen Idol 9-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Tyger Bay (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Beauty Choice 4-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway towards inside turning in, ran on inside final furlong, going on towards finish, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Rock Opera (9-8) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
King's Gem (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Slowly away, headway 4f out, switched left 3f out, 4th and no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 13 1/2l behind Laoisman (9-7) at Chepstow 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
