prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, going well, shaken up to lead just inside final furlong, pushed out and held on
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
held up, driven 5f out, always behind
mid-division, headway over 1f out, staying on same place when not clear run inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, ran on
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, edged right and weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway under pressure 1f out, kept on
chased leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed just inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, not clear run soon after, in rear, short lived effort on outside well over 2f out
ridden over 3f out, always towards rear
Dichoh could be popular on his handicap debut after winning last time out, however he may struggle to dominate in this competitive handicap from a wide draw, and so is reluctantly passed over in favour of Le Chiffre who could capitalise on his favourable low draw. Other dangers could include Ed Dunlop's filly Foreplay, Bryan Smart's Redwood Rocks and Roger Fisher's Stoic Leader. The last-named is a course and distance winner, although he has been slightly disappointing on his two latest runs at the track and therefore he can not be truly fancied. Redwood Rocks won emphatically in a weaker race on his last outing, however he isn't ideally drawn for a front-runner, and in the stall next to Dichoh it could be that they tire themselves out whilst vying for the early lead. Foreplay responded well to the application of cheekpieces last time out over course and distance when narrowly touched off by Climate, however she is up to a career-high mark now and whilst she should run her race, she may be vulnerable to something bettter handicapped. Therefore, in an open finale, a chance is taken on proven course and distance winner Le Chiffre to continue his unbeaten record at the track at what are likely to be rewarding odds.
Bessemer (JPN) 8-1 (9-1) Held up, not clear run over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Prince Tum Tum (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Foreplay (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, chased leaders 2f out, headway to lead briefly inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, hd behind Climate (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Oct.
Play The Ball (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Always behind, 18th of 20, 34l behind Abbey Grammer (8-12) at Leopardstown 1m hcp 0-80 sft in Oct.
Le Chiffre (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Held up in centre group, hanging right and no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 8, 7l behind Taranaki (8-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 9-2fav (8-13) Outpaced, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Cape Presto (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Imperial Lucky (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Dwelt, headway to lead on inside 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Neardown Beauty (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Redwood Rocks (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (8-12) Led over 6f out, ridden clear well over 1f out, ran on well, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Moon Forest (9-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Sands of Barra (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Behind, stayed on inside final furlong, no danger, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Da Bookie (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Ochre Bay 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 7l behind California Laws (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Dichoh 5-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on, won at W'hampton 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol beating Cross of Lorraine (9-3) by 1l, 12 ran.
Tuscarora (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to chase leaders, weakened, 7th of 8, 10l behind Gaelic Princess (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) pol.
Takes Tutu (USA) 14-1 (9-1) Switched right start, always towards rear, 10th of 12, 12l behind Street Warrior (9-2) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
