always in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, improved to 4th after 4f, going well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on
held up, ridden over 3f out, stayed on under strong pressure to go 3rd towards finish, never dangerous
keen, tracked leaders, led well over 3f out, ridden and joined over 1f out, driven out gainly
set steady pace, headed after 4f, tracked leader until over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
dwelt, soon in touch, improved to lead after 4f, headed narrowly over 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong
keen, tracked leader for 4f, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
LEYTE GULF has probably never been in better form and we think that the gelding can go in for the third time in five starts ahead of the potentially well treated but disappointing Little Richard and Augustus John also makes the list after some near misses. Two course and distance successes have added to the pick's record here which now boosts a 50% strike rate. He was better value than the bare distance suggests for his win last time and his three pound mark rise looks fair. Little Richard receives weight from all of his rivals here and remains a pound lighter than when last scoring. He's running well at the moment but it is a little disappointing he hasn't taken advantage of his falling mark. Augustus John has been on an improving run of form lately including finding just the one too good over course and distance the last twice. He is still racing off a mark just a pound higher than when last getting on top so there's no reason why he won't run his race again. Paint The Town Red looks the only other considered under a fair burden but Leyte Gulf is on form and is worth sticking with.
Tannenberg (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Started slowly, towards rear, late headway inside final 2f, kept on, nearest finish, 5th of 16, 4l behind Salute (8-13) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun '06.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 11-4fav (9-6) Held up, headway over 8f out, switched right well over 1f out, led 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol beating Calculating (9-4) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Estate 11-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Leyte Gulf (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Quince (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leading pair well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Wicked Daze (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f clm stks (6) pol.
Augustus John (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind King Red (9-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Weybridge Light 8-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 17l behind Brett Vale (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Paint The Town Red 10-1 (8-13) Held up, headway on outer over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 13, 3l behind Private Equity (8-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Little Richard (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.