prominent, raced keenly, went 2nd over 6f out, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, soon beaten, weakened and eased final furlong
held up, headway over 5f out, every chance well over 1f out, soon shaken up, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, not run on
chased leaders, hampered over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on to lead post
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, hitched right, caught post
held up, came wide and headway entering straight, ran on inside final furlong
reminders soon after start, in rear, driven along over 5f out, well beaten and lost touch over 3f out
pushed along leaving stalls and soon led, headed over 4f out, hampered and weakened over 3f out
chased leader over 2f, remained prominent, edged right over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon headed, not quicken inside final furlong
This tricky heat could be landed by Curzon Prince with Abbondanza and Alfresco also high on the short-list. The rare booking of the in-form Neil Callan takes the eye for Chris Wall's gelding who has had just two starts on the all-weather. The last of those was a promising third over a mile at Kempton in December which bodes well for his future on this surface. His trainer saddled a well backed winner at Lingfield on Wednesday and he has plenty in his favour. Abbondanza has been in great form but it appears as though the handicapper may be getting to grips with him now but Alfresco only just missed out from a 3lb higher mark last time so has to be respected. He was 3 lengths in front of Will He Wish that day and the Gollings trained runner will struggle to reverse the form but Gaelic Princess has a good strike rate here and could make her presence felt. However, for the winner, we return to Curzon Prince.
Abbondanza (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Led, ridden 2f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Scamperdale (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Alfresco 5-2fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, headway going easily over 1f out, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, shd behind Monkey Glas (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Will He Wish 14-1 (9-1) Tracked winner, every chance 2f out until entering final furlong, weakened closing stages, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Monkey Glas (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Curzon Prince (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, took 3rd near finish, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Atlantic Story (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Gaelic Princess 6-1 (8-13) In touch, effort over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 5th of 6, 7l behind Hoh Wotanite (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Victor Trumper 8-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 15l behind Mafeking (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Emerald Bay (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 5th of 10, 3l behind Ansells Pride (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Nov.
Princess Cocoa (IRE) 11-8fav (8-9) Always prominent, went 2nd over 2f out until ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Scamperdale (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
