slowly away, in touch in rear, switched left and effort over 1f out, kept on one pace
in touch in rear, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
made all under stand side rail, pushed along over 1f out, eased near finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
Triple Charm has won twice on Polytrack and once on fast ground on Turf but looked a couple of pounds high in the weights at Kempton last time. Mawaakef started favourite in a four-runner race at Sandown on Saturday but was beaten a long way in the testing conditions. Al Khaleej has raced in much better class and is 2lb lower than when landing a Newmarket handicap in 2010. He may just need this after a long absence and the vote goes to NOBLE CITIZEN, another with an absence to overcome. Dave Simcock's charge has also competed at a high level with his close third in a strong handicap at Ascot in July being a fine performance and Laura Pike's claim looks a bonus.
Al Khaleej (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Slowlt into stride, chased leaders stands side, outpaced and hung right when groups merged 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 12th of 16, 13l behind Pastoral Player (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Noble Citizen (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Raced far side in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 18th of 29, 10l behind Edinburgh Knight (9-6) at Ascot 7f Apprentice Handicap (0-100) (3yo+) (2) gd in Oct.
Mawaakef (IRE) 15-8fav (8-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader, came towards stands side in straight, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, soon driven hung left and struggling, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Weapon Of Choice (8-10) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-105 (2) hvy in Apr.
Space Station 18-1 (8-12) Stumbled start, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 9l behind My Freedom (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Triple Charm 6-1 (9-2) Switched right start, in rear, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Shropshire (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-90) (3) pol in Mar.
Rigolleto (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Tracked winner, came stand side 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind April Fool (9-0) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.