held up mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out
led, headed 3f out, soon driven along, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, led 3f out, stayed on strongly from over 1f out
held up towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, stayed on final furlong
held up, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out
held up in touch, weakened final furlong
Possibly not quite as open as division one of this event and one where CHOSEN FOREVER is taken to follow-up a recent course and distance win, while Climate and Castle Myth are among the dangers. By now we will have had a direct pointer to the form of the selection, who last time defeated Join Up (a runner in the first division of this contest) by two-and-a-quarter lengths over course and distance. Although beaten from today's mark of 58 before, he may now just be right, and the way he won suggested that this 5lb rise won't be enough to stop him. Climate is another to have scored over course and distance last time and be subjected to a 5lb rise. It is over three years since he was last good enough to win from a mark as high as this in handicap company, however, so we are happy enough to take him on. Yet another winner over track and trip is Castle Myth, who is now 6lbs higher than that sole success, though he did go close from this mark at Southwell not long ago. Tom Dascombe has his string in good shape and there will probably be more to come from Law Of The Jungle. She showed up well for a long way on her debut for the yard at Lingfield and pedigree suggests that this trip should be ideal for her so a market check is advised. Guiseppe Verdi has to be taken seriously after a 10lb drop since flopping at Kempton over 1m 4f in September. This trip will suit better and he has a 100 per cent record here so can't be ruled out. Preference, however, is with Chosen Forever.
Guiseppe Verdi (USA) 9-2fav (9-4) Soon chasing winner until 2f out, soon no impression and weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Mista Rossa (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f clm stks (6) pol in Sep.
Law Of The Jungle (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Slowly away and flashed tailed leaving stalls, behind, ridden and outpaced 2f out, made some late headway, never in contention, 5th of 10, 5l behind Wunder Strike (8-11) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-62 (6) pol.
Castle Myth (USA) 11-4fav (8-3) Held up well in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, switched left just inside final furlong, kept on, too much to do, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Justcallmehandsome (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Lady Longcroft 10-1 (9-4) Keen, held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 10, 14l behind That'll Do Nicely (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Chosen Forever 3-1fav (9-4) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, ran on strongly, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol beating Join Up (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Climate (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Broke well, soon steadied to mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol beating Achromatic (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Triple Cee (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) In rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 8l behind Franco Is My Name (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Noah Jameel 3-1fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway and every chance final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Kames Park (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Helpmeronda 17-2 (8-3) Dwelt, in touch, ridden 3f out, driven and beaten, 5th of 7, 11l behind Kheskianto (8-6) at Southwell 7f 3yo sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Mackintosh (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, switched left start, mid-division, going well when not clear run on inside over 2f out, until switched right 2f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Ghufa (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol.
Libre 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed towards finihs, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Shake On It (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
John Potts 12-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, making headway when hampered well over 1f out, soon switched right, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Chosen Forever (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol.
Classic Blue (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along, headway 3f out, challenged 2f out, ridden, still pressing leaders over 1f out, no extra final 1f, soon eased, 7th of 12, 9l behind Megalala (9-13) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jul.
