with winner, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, outpaced 4f out, plugged on
made all, pressed throughout final furlong, kept on gamely
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
awkward leaving stall, ridden over 3f out, no impression
Gallantry deserves to win again but Monkey Glas could deny him that opportunity here, with Party Boss the other for the shortlist. Gallantry has been knocking on the door of late and he lost no caste in defeat when chasing home Atlantic Story at Lingfield last time. He goes well here and although the draw could have been kinder he still holds solid claims. Monkey Glas finished narrowly behind him last time but on these terms he should reverse the placings and he also has a better draw. Party Boss has the ability to get competitive but he disappointed last time and he hasn't won for over a year. Ninth House is better than he showed last time, but in a tricky finale we will side with Monkey Glas to take the prize money.
Party Boss 8-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 14, 15l behind Capricorn Run (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Mesbaah (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Held up, ridden 4f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Smart Enough (9-1) at Bath 1m stk (3) gf in Oct.
Gallantry 13-2 (8-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Monkey Glas (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Led, ridden clear over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Ninth House (USA) 4-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out, 9th of 11, 8l behind Dudley Docker (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Councellor (FR) 50-1 (9-3) Tracked leader to 3f out, soon under pressure, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Jack Sullivan (9-3) at W'hampton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Buxton 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, no headway and weakened from 2f out, 11th of 12, 10l behind Markab (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.