soon in touch, ridden well over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong
held up last, pushed along 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
held up, headway 6f out, ridden well over 1f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway on inside 4f out, ridden over 1f out, not quicken close home
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, edged left entering final furlong, driven out
This looks a good opportunity for MASTER AT ARMS who is given the verdict ahead of Lochiel and Noubian. Daniel Loughnane's 5-year-old would ideally prefer slightly further but he is in great heart and he is looking for his fourth course success tonight. Lochiel has yet to prove himself over this trip but he won well enough over 1m4f last time and he looked as though he might be worth a try over slightly further. Noubian won well when last seen on the level over in Ireland and if the market were to speak strongly in his favour then he would have to be of interest. Choir Singer has been showing a good level of consistency and he could prove best of the others. However, for the winner we will stick with Master At Arms.
Lochiel 5-2jt-fav (9-6) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden 1f out, edged slightly left, ran on well, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Quince (9-9) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Master At Arms 6-1 (9-6) Behind mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, and asserted near finish, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Bank On Benny (9-9) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Noubian (USA) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, headway to challenge travelling well 2f out, soon led, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Limerick 1m 3f hcp 0-70 hvy in Oct beating Dont Cross Tina (9-9) by 8l, 11 ran.
Davorin (JPN) 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, moderate 6th halfway, headway to 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Alhabeeb (9-6) at Dundalk 1m 3f stk pol in Nov.
Salute (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Prominent after 2f, went 2nd over 7f out, led over 2f out, 2nd and beaten inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 4l behind La Estrella (9-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Choir Singer (FR) 5-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, stayed pressing leaders, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Wine 'n Dine (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Special Pearl (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance from 2f out, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Dayia (9-11) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) std.
Anfield Road 11-8fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway and switched left and tracked leaders 5f out, went 2nd 2f out, led 1f out, soon in command, comfortably, won at Great Leighs 1m 5f mdn aut stk (5) std beating Sensible (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
