steadied start, held up in touch, hung left from over 2f out, soon one pace
settled in mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, never on terms
soon outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung left and weakened
always prominent, led over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on well
pulled hard, in touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
outpaced in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
led until over 1f out, soon rallied, no extra close home
This looks a decent contest for the track and several of these will pay their way this year. Bawaardi already has a Doncaster win under his belt but is taking on better opposition here. Excellent Guest and Swiss Cross may need a run to put them straight while the lack of a recent run may also count against Noble Citizen and Ceremonial Jade, who both finished behind Seek The Fair Land at Lingfield in November. Gouray Girl is capable of running well fresh, however, as is ASRAAB. The Godolphin colt has only had two runs but won on his debut at Newmarket and found only the more experienced Thrill too strong at Sandown last August. He can start making up for lost time in this.
Gouray Girl (IRE) 6-1fav (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead and edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newbury 7f flls hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct beating Bahati (9-4) by 1l, 16 ran.
Asraab (IRE) 6-5fav (9-6) Dwelt, soon tracking leaders on inside, not clearest of runs and switched left 2f out, chased winner 1f out, driven and stayed on well towards finish, always just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Thrill (9-2) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Noble Citizen (USA) 14-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden halfway, no impression, 9th of 12, 7l behind Arteus (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Mata Keranjang (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Mid-division far side group, edged left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 21st of 22, 21l behind Eton Forever (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) gd.
Excellent Guest 14-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden 2 lengths clear over 1f out, kept on, won at Ascot 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sep beating Mass Rally (9-7) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Swiss Cross 5-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, raced wide in mid-division, pushed along halfway, one pace and no real impression final 2f, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sutton Veny (8-10) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Bawaardi (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) In touch towards stands side, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Doncaster 7f ldy hcp (4) gf beating Den's Gift (10-2) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Seek The Fair Land 9-2fav (9-1) Took keen hold, chased winner until over 1f out, weakened soon after, 9th of 12, 6l behind Bravo Echo (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 12, 6l behind Arteus (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
