raced keenly, led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakening when edged left and slightly hampered well over 1f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
steadied start, pulled hard, soon prominent, ridden and every chance when edged left entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, ridden to lead just over 1f out, edged right well inside final furlong, driven out
chased leader, led over 4f out, headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, not clear run and switched left well over 1f out, headway 1f out, not troubled leaders
held up towards rear, headway and hung left from over 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, short lived effort on outside over 2f out
Nonrunner
A very competitive handicap can go the way of recent winner Dragon Slayer, with Peruvian Prince, Watamu and Kildare Sun heading the shortlist. The selection won in cosy fashion just five days ago over course and distance, and with just a 6lb penalty for that win, he may just be ahead of the handicapper. Even though he pulled hard that day after a four-month lay-off, he won well for claimer William Buick and with the same partner today, he must go close. Paktolos is an interesting flat-runner for Alan King and should be watched for signs of confidence, as the 4-year-old was a fair sort on the flat in France and even after a disappointing British hurdles debut, he remains of interest. Peruvian Prince racked up a quickfire hat-trick in December, however he was turned over at odds-on last time out and now racing off 79, the handicapper may just have caught up with him. Watamu was well-fancied last-time out at Lingifeld, however he may be more effective at this trip so must go on the shortlist, along with Kildare Sun who was in good form in November, however his two runs since have been very lacklustre so he may not be one to trust implicitly. This is a toughie for punters, but we will stick with Ian Williams' Dragon Slayer to small stakes.
Dzesmin (POL) 12-1 (8-13) Held up, switched to race centre entering straight, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 15, 10l behind Mikao (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Kova Hall (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened rapidly final furlong, last of 12, 8l behind Mataram (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Paktolos (FR) (9-3) Held up, effort and led 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Longchamp 1m hcp gd in Sept beating Major's Love (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
Peruvian Prince (USA) 4-11fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and every chance from 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Just Bond (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Dec.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) Tracked leader and keen, led over 4f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Snowy Day (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Daring Affair 14-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Mataram (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Kildare Sun (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Chicken Soup (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Fantasy Ride 33-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 10, 8l behind Daring Affair (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Primo Way 5-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, close up 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind The London Gang (8-0) at W'hampton 7f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Play The Ball (USA) 40-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 7l behind Foreplay (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Watamu (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Held up, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, swished tail under pressure final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd final strides, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Eva Soneva So Fast (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Waterline Twenty (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (8-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
