led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd close home
tracked leader, pressed leader over 1f out, quickened to lead entering final furlong, soon edged left and ran on
steadied start, close up in 4th, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd close home
keen tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
DARWELL LION made a winning debut for David O’Meara’s yard when scoring over track and trip with a bit to spare. He has the scope to defy a 3lb rise and can go in again. Jewel Maker is more exposed though is back on the same mark as when last successful having gone close here a fortnight ago. Starry Eyes is better than her latest effort at Kempton suggests and is preferred to Lequinto if back to her best.
Darwell Lion (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden edged left and headway entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Tricolore (9-7) by 1l, 5 ran.
Lequinto (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway and hung left inside final furlong, no impression final furlong, 5th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Saleymm (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Starry Eyes (USA) 9-4fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 9, 13l behind Angel's Whisper (9-12) at Kempton 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Dec.
Jewel Maker (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Raced wide, held up, switched right entering final 2f, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, gaining on winner towards finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Shoot To Kill (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Dec.