led, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quickened near finish
outpaced in rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, no impression
always behind
took keen hold, prominent, ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out
always prominent, ridden and hung left briefly over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead near finish
soon pushed along mid-division, behind final 3f
slowly into stride, pulled hard, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace when hung right inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
reared start and slowly into stride, always towards rear
Nonrunner
Almaty Express is chasing the hat-trick here but the high draw may just find him out and we will instead side with Canadian Danehill who is preferred to Mystery Pips. The selection does have the benefit of a decent draw today, he is a course and distance winner and also has the services of the excellent Neil Callan. He ran well last time when chasing home Spirit of Coniston at Southwell and he now looks primed to take his turn. Almaty Express would be tough to beat if the draw had been kinder as he is in cracking form, but he is rising in the weights and he will need things to drop right for him if he is to get his head in front from stall 10. Mystery Pips has been a great servant to connections and he ran well when last seen out over this course and distance in November. He has a fair draw and could go well at an each-way price. Monte Major won well last time but he can't be fancied to follow-up from his wide draw today, and we are happy to stick with Canadian Danehill as our choice to land the spoils.
Almaty Express 8-13fav (8-3) Led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Nusoor (9-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Richelieu 25-1 (9-2) Held up, driven along over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 5l behind Shade Cozy (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Polar Force 25-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2l behind Burhaan (8-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Melandre 80-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 8l behind Gifted Lass (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Fastrac Boy 3-1fav (9-4) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Special Gold (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Canadian Danehill (IRE) 10-3 (9-6) Tracked leader, challenge approaching final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 8, shd behind Spirit of Coniston (8-9) at Southwell 5f app clm (6) fbs.
Mystery Pips 14-1 (8-12) With leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, hd behind Sir Don (8-10) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Egyptian Lord 5-1 (8-10) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, faded, 5th of 12, 2l behind Kempsey (8-9) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Dysonic (USA) 14-1 (8-5) In touch, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Gifted Lass (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Tajjree 9-2 (8-12) Chased leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol beating Kitchen Sink (9-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Nova Tor (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 14, 15l behind Indian Spark (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-85 (6) gd in May.
Misaro (GER) 14-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 6l behind Desert Opal (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Monte Major (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, stayed on well, won at W'hampton 5f amt hcp (6) pol beating Spirit of Coniston (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
