in touch, ridden 2f out, some late headway, never a factor
steadied start, always towards rear
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
dwelt always in rear
in touch, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
raced wide close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
led 1f, led again approaching 2f out, soon 3 lengths clear, ran on
led after 1f, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, kept on same pace
close up, pushed along and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Robero was well beaten at Newmarket last month but landed last year’s renewal off a higher mark and another bold bid is expected with David Probert taking over the reins. Inaam finished well ahead of Knowing Glance when scoring with plenty to spare over track and trip in October. He’s 7lb higher today but still preferred to stablemate Soar Above while Smokey Lane landed a double over 6f on the Turf earlier but has yet to score over today’s trip. Roller’s earlier victory here came over a mile but GHAITH was beaten only a neck on his handicap debut at Ffos Las back in August and has plenty of scope to go one better debuting for David Loughnane’s yard in first-time headgear.
Smokey Lane (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not reach front pair, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Samovar (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
The Game Of Life 33-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, always behind, 11th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Jackstar (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Soar Above 17-2 (9-6) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no impression, last of 8, 5 1/4l behind Full Intention (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Waqaas 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 15 3/4l behind Global Tango (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Beryl The Petal (IRE) 28-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Aloysius Lilius (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Robero 16-1 (9-2) Rearing in gate, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 16, 15 1/2l behind George Of Hearts (9-4) at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Ghaith 11-4 (9-5) Soon prominent on outside from wide draw, headway into 2nd when hung badly left under pressure over 1f out, no impression, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Healing Power (9-3) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Baltic Prince (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Busby (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Roller 10-1 (9-6) Raced keenly towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 3 1/4l behind Coviglia (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Knowing Glance (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon hung left and headed, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Valley of Fire (9-2) at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Inaam (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway going well 2f out, led over 1f out, clear final furlong, easily, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Onebaba (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Atletico (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Fighting Temeraire (9-6) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.