always in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong without being dangerous
held up rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden and no extra close home
always prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on well to lead close home
led until ridden and headed close home
always in rear
prominent, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
raced in rear, ridden 2f out, never nearer
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, never in contention
The shortlist contains Bessemer, Ryedane and Willhewiz, with the vote going to Bessemer. The selection proved suited by a drop in trip when winning well over course and distance last time and, despite having been raised nine pounds for that, we reckon that he remains competitive. Ryedane has not shown much lately on Turf and is nine pounds above his course and distance win, but his record here is good and he has a good rider on board. Willhewiz comes into the argument because he is competitively weighted on his Turf form and has run well off 70 her (he's now rated 72). Turning to the others, Witchry makes his all-weather debut, Middle Eastern has more to do than when winning over seven furlongs at Southwell last time, all of Ashes' wins have been at five furlongs and he's drawn wide today, the drop in trip is not sure to suit Revien, Kallista's Pride is not a forlorn hope based on Turf form but does race from three pounds out of the weights here, and the other pair look to have something to prove. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Bessemer.
Bessemer (JPN) 13-2 (8-11) Held up in touch, not much room over 3f out, switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Gone'n'dunnett (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Witchry 9-1 (9-3) In touch, effort 2f out, unable to quicken and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 18, 2l behind Graze On (8-11) at Bath 6f 3yo clm (6) gf in Oct.
Willhewiz 33-1 (8-10) Raced centre, led that group, switched stand side 4f out, overall leader over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened, 13th of 17, 7l behind Mutamared (9-2) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Middle Eastern 5-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, headway halfway, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Cerebus (8-13) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Ashes (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Went left start, mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, kept on, 6th of 12, 4l behind Law Maker (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Sand Iron (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Final Promise (9-2) at Warwick 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Jun Fan (USA) 13-2 (9-4) Soon prominent, ridden over 2f out weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Lady Algarhoud (8-13) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Kallista's Pride 9-2 (8-12) Held up, mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran well final furlong to take 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Vlasta Weiner (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.