steadied start, chased leaders halfway, soon ridden and weakened from 2f out
tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out, switched right and ridden to challenge over 1f out, short of room and almost fell, recovered to take 3rd close home, unlucky, finished 3rd, promoted to 2nd
steadied start, took keen hold in rear, headway over 2f out, not reach leaders and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on, nearest finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
took keen hold towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leader, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, held when eased heavily final furlong
towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
led, pressed 2f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on gamely until headed inside final furlong, rallied close home, finished 2nd, demoted to 3rd
in touch, outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Muktasb can land this at the expense of Stormburst and Rhapsillian. The selection was in winning form at Lingfield last time out and is now only 5lbs higher for his troubles. He is a consistent horse to follow and even though he doesn't win that often he always seems to try his best therefore always giving the punter a run for their money. The same can be said for Stormburst who has run two back-to-back seconds of late. He was second to Fast Freddie last time out over course and distance and if able to repeat that performance he would hold definite each way claims. Rhapsillian caught the eye behind Rabbit Fighter at Kempton last month. It was a bold show behind a horse whose stables runners had hit a purple patch. He is another who is entitled to be on the shortlist but for the winner we return to Muktasb.
Bens Georgie (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon not clear run briefly, led just over 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec beating Green Pirate (9-2) by a hd, 11 ran.
Radiator Rooney (IRE) 11-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden and hung right from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind By The Edge (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Thoughtsofstardom 9-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Almaty Express (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) std.
Zazous 25-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, never troubled leaders, 11th of 13, 3l behind Corlough Mountain (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Stormburst (IRE) 10-3fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Fast Freddie (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Rhapsilian 20-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly under pressure, headed final strides, 2nd of 11, nk behind Rabbit Fighter (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Anfield Dream 11-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 5l behind Fast Freddie (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Muktasb (USA) 3-1fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, good headway over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcap (6) pol in Dec beating Kennington (8-13) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Reigning Monarch (USA) 15-2 (9-0) Raced stand side, keen, always towards rear, 11th of 13, 12l behind Whistleupthewind (8-8) at Folkestone 7f hcap (6) gf in Sept.
Sir Don (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven clear over 1f out, held on under pressure, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Mulberry Lad (8-10) by a hd, 11 ran.
Scarlett Heart (IRE) 20-1 (8-1) Held up, outpaced over 3f out, headway 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Realt Na Mara (8-12) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Ishibee (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 11, 6l behind Arfinnit (8-8) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol.
