soon tracked leaders, led over 7f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace inside final furlong
always behind
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, headed over 7f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on (hand timed)
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on and no impression
BURCAN still won by three lengths over 1m2f at Chelmsford despite being eased down in the closing stages. There looks plenty more to come from him over this longer trip and he can defy an 8lb rise. Rock Steady just missed out over 1m3f at Kempton last time but has finished second four times in succession now and is upped a further 4lb. Buthelezi is capable at this level but hasn’t raced since summer last year while Cosmeapolitan is 12lb higher than his win at Newbury in August as he makes his all-weather debut. Hamelin should be sharper for a recent comeback run at Kempton but also looks high enough in the weights.
Hamelin (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, chased leader until over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Western Hymn (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Nov.
Hot Beat (IRE) (9-4) 6th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Notre Same (8-5) at Baden-Baden 1m 4f gd in Sep.
Buthelezi (USA) 28-1 (8-9) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, no extra towards finish, 9th of 19, 4 3/4l behind Quest For More (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Burcan (FR) 2-1fav (9-4) Always handy, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Craftsmanship (9-2) by 3l, 9 ran.
Jacbequick 16-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went never dangerous 3rd post, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Beardwood (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Cosmeapolitan 14-1 (8-6) Dwelt, in rear, headway approaching final 2f, no impression final furlong, 9th of 16, 5 3/4l behind Scarlet Dragon (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Rock Steady (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, pressed winner inside final 100 yards, just held, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Sixties Groove (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Energia Fox (BRZ) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in last trio, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, edged right and went modest 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Prince Of Arran (8-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Nov.