held up in rear, switched right just inside final furlong, ran on and just missed 2nd, not reach winner
mid-division, weakening when bumped over 2f out
went right start, soon steadied into mid-division, hampered over 2f out, came wide into straight, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
prominent, chased winner 3f out until over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and in command final furlong, driven out
took keen hold early, switched left after 1f out, held up in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, just held on to hold 2nd
behind, ridden and made some headway final furlong, no danger
carried right start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
soon chased winner to 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
ARGANIL has now won three of his last four starts and is fancied to win again at the main expense of Soopacal. Kevin Ryan's progressive three-year-old has now won half of his career starts and he showed a good attitude to win at Great Leighs in October when challenged late on. What you see is what you get from this gutsy front-runner and he is taken to defy this 3lb higher mark. There are several course and distance winners in the line-up, of which Soopacal may be the main danger. Bryan Smart has his horses in good form and a break may have done this Caption Rio gelding some good. Luscivious ran well last time out but his better form has come at that track Southwell, so a bigger danger could be The Jobber who is very well-treated on old form. Matsunosuke needs the breaks given his style of racing, whilst Fyodor and Vhujon are decent but not the most consistent. A tricky race, but preference is for Arganil.
Fyodor (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Held up far side, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f, 8th of 14, 4l behind Judd Street (9-4) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept.
Soopacal (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, keen hold, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Aye Aye Digby (8-10) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp (3) gd in May.
Matsunosuke 7-1 (9-4) Outpaced and soon chased along, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind How's She Cuttin' (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Bertoliver 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, effort halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind How's She Cuttin' (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Arganil (USA) 10-3 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Piscean (9-2) by a nk, 9 ran.
The Jobber (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden halfway, no impression, 12th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Judge 'n Jury (9-6) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Vhujon (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride in rear, pushed along over 1f out, never nearer, 9th of 12, 4l behind Beat The Bell (8-5) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Luscivious 12-1 (8-6) Outpaced and soon ridden along, headway over 1f, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3l behind How's She Cuttin' (8-8) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Almaty Express 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders 2f, 10th of 11, 13l behind Harry Up (9-2) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Harbour Blues 20-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, edged left when weakening approaching final furlong, 9th of 11, 12l behind Irish Pearl (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct.
