slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders and raced keenly, effort over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
behind, edged right inside final 2f, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression on leaders, kept on one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no headway and weakened final furlong
held up in rear, slightly hampered and checked on rail inside final 2f, headway on outer 1f out, ran on well final furlong to close on leaders, took 3rd final stride
mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, not pace to challenge, one pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded well inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no extra final 50 yards
took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, ridden out
Obe Royal is in fair form and if he gets the strong pace that he needs over this trip, then David Evans gelding can defy a 2lb rise in the weights. The consistent Muktasb and Mind Alert from Derek Shaw's stable make it to the shortlist. The selection has been racing exclusively at Wolverhampton of late and has been in good form. This switch to Kempton should not pose any problems and with a decent pace likely, it will suit his hold-up style of running. Muktasb has won two of his last three and both of those wins came here at the track. His mark is rising which adds more pressure but he wasn't beaten far last time and should not be overlooked. Meanwhile stablemate Mind Alert will not mind a return to this surface having run poorly at Southwell last time. Hucking Hill and Methaaly are two more course and distance winners but neither is in the rudest of health at present, so a bigger danger may be Red Ruby who returns from a break and needs a market check. An open handicap then, with preference for Obe Royal.
Obe Royal 12-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Tag Team (8-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Muktasb (USA) 11-4 (8-13) Held up in rear, pushed along after 2f, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd, close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Benllech (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Methaaly (IRE) 6-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 5l behind Xpres Maite (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Red Rudy 9-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 12l behind Red Birr (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Hucking Hill (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Started slowly, held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 2l behind Royal Envoy (8-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Tamino (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Led narrowly to over 4f out, led again 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Mogok Ruby (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Mind Alert 11-1 (9-3) Keen, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no headway, last of 7, 12l behind Hits Only Jude (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Radiator Rooney (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out, ridden over 1f out, badly hampered inside final furlong, not recover, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Muktasb (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
