prominent, ridden to lead 1f out, ridden out
mid-division, headway to 1f out to chase leaders, not reach winner
led, edged left approaching final furlong, headed 1 out, faded
mid-division and keen, headway on inside 3f out, edged left approaching 2f out, hampered and not clear run approaching final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders on inside, headway when hampered approaching 2f out, not recover
in touch, headway over 1f out, kept on
tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened over 2f out
always in rear, eased near finish
towards rear, ridden and good headway over 1f out, ran on well nearest at finish
keen, mid-division, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, staying on when switched right close home
towards rear, ridden and hung right from over 1f out
Prince Tum Tum comes here in search of his hat-trick, however this is more competeitive than those contests and he could be denied by Willie Muir's Matuza, whilst Zarzu and Premier Fantasy could also go well. The selection ran a good race in defeat in a more valuable contest last time out at Southwell, and can go very close today if handling the surface, especially reverting back to a more suitable six furlongs. He was outpaced last time out but if getting the breaks, he could swoop late to take this competetive race. Prince Tum Tum has looked comfortable on his last two wins, however those were over seven furlongs and he may struggle to go the pace over this shorter trip, as well as having a penalty to contend with. Zarzu gets on well with his talented claiming jockey Liam Jones, and looks sure to be finishing well at the end, however his wide draw will not help his fairly prominent style of running and so he may struggle. Tim Pitt's stable is in cracking form and his gelding Premier Fantasy should go well if getting the gaps late on, however that is not guaranteed and so he is passed over in favour of the selection who can continue his impressive all-weather record and gain a fourth win.
First Order 20-1 (8-6) Tracked winner until approaching final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind King Orchisios (8-10) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
Prince Tum Tum (USA) 5-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead final half furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Arctic Desert (9-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Matuza (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Prominent, ridden 2f out, not clear run, switched right entering final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Dancing Mystery (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Grimes Faith 6-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner well inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Connect (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Zarzu 9-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Sir Nod (9-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd post, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Little Edward (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Premier Fantasy 13-8fav (9-4) Switched left start, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Night Prospector (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Kingscross 16-1 (8-1) Behind, ridden over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 4l behind Connect (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
