prominent, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
dwelt, always rear division
in touch, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
never better than mid-division
mid-division, ridden along 3f out, never troubled leaders
dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
PROVOST is taken to land the finale at the main expense of Pab Special and Mr Chocolate Drop. The selection did not have the race run to suit when last seen out at Southwell, so under the circumstances he did well to finish third behind Norcroft. This is only his fourth run on the all-weather but he is upped in trip which should suit and he looks to have been found a good opportunity to get his head in front here Pab Special looks the obvious danger as he won well here last time, but that was his first win on the all-weather in 24 attempts. He also has the worst of the draw today so that would temper confidence in his ability to back that win up. Mr Chocolate Drop went close at Kempton over 7f last time, and he had previously won in good style here. He is back up in trip today which should suit and it is hard to see him not making the frame. Vanilla Bally is making her British debut and is one to note in the market, but Provost looks a good bet here and Mick Easterby's 5-year-old gets our vote.
Alf Tupper 11-1 (9-6) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Ahlawy (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol.
Ocarito (GER) 33-1 (9-1) Steadied start, settled in rear, ridden and losing touch 5f out, tailed off over 2f out, last of 10, 42l behind Millie's Rock (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Time To Regret 16-1 (9-1) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 12, 25l behind Barataria (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Media Stars 7-1 (8-9) Slowly away, held up, headway to lead 5f out, headed and weakened 1f out, 5th of 14, 10l behind Tabulate (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol in Jul.
Vanilla Bally (ISR) (9-0) Won at Pardess Hanna 7f Cond Stakes std in Jun beating Flash Carbonado (9-2) by 1l, 4 ran.
Pab Special (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden to lead 2f out, 2 lengths clear 1f out, stayed on, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Royal Encore (8-12) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
That'll Do Nicely (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up, went 2nd over 6f out, led over 2f out, ridden and edged right just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Rambling Dancer (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear, plenty to do well over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, just failed, 2nd of 13, nk behind Street Power (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol.
Alseraaj (USA) 50-1 (8-13) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 18l behind Zennerman (8-12) at Chester 1m app hcp (6) sft in Aug.
Kannon 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway on inner over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 10l behind Crocodile Bay (8-13) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Kargan (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Malinsa Blue (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Machinate (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Ardent Prince (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Provost 12-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Norcroft (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
