tracked leaders, driven to chase winner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, just held on for 2nd
made all, driven 2f out, ridden over 1f out, clear when edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well
with winner, lost place over 2f out, beaten when eased over 1f out
held up behind, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just failed for 2nd, no impression with winner
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge, eased final furlong
behind, outpaced after 2f, soon lost touch
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression from over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with front trio final furlong
SIR MAXIMILIAN has not raced since March having landed a Group 3 sprint at Meydan earlier in the same month. But Ian Williams' charge has won twice before when returning from an absence and should go close if at his best. Chookie Royale ran well in a decent handicap at the track last week and has plenty to spare on today's terms with Kempton runner-up Horsted Keynes while Hawkesbury is weighted to figure but drops back in distance on his first start since September. The remainder are harder to fancy unless Elysian Flyer rediscovers the sort of form that saw him win his first three starts last year.
Sir Maximilian (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) 6th of 16, 4 1/4l behind Sole Power (9-0) at Meydan 5f Grp 1 gd in Mar.
Chookie Royale 5-1 (9-11) Chased leaders on outside, driven over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ridden and every chance final furlong, kept on, held when dropped to 4th near finish, 4th of 11, 3/4l behind Spring Loaded (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Elysian Flyer (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven 2f out, eased over 1f out, last of 11, 15 1/4l behind Spring Loaded (8-3) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Hawkesbury 9-1 (9-2) Took keen hold tracking leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Majestic Moon (8-10) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Horsted Keynes (FR) 11-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Lancelot Du Lac (9-2) at Kempton 6f stks (3) pol in Oct.
Plunder 100-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 35 1/4l behind Dark Emerald (9-1) at Hamilton 6f stks (2) gd in Sep.
Secret Asset (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, hung left over 3f out, ridden over 1f out and soon headway, no impression, 5th of 10, 4l behind Archie Stevens (9-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Skinny Love 33-1 (9-1) Led 2f, pushed along and lost 2nd halfway, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 19 1/2l behind Lamar (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f fll stks (2) pol in Nov.