tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, led 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, pushed out
held up, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
raced mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on one pace inside final furlong
held up, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, never nearer
slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders after 2f, ridden and weakened 2f out, stumble over 1f out, soon eased
keen, always prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, one pace
Auentraum is on a roll and looks set to complete a hat-trick at the expense of King Zafeen, Christmas Truce, Jalouhar and Wodhill Be. This looks a decent contest by today's standards, and one in which Auentraum is likely to command plenty of respect based on his two latest wins over six furlongs at Wolverhampton. A winner over seven furlongs in Germany, it has taken a while for the six-year-old to come to hand, but extensive work on the gallops has paid off, and with a lovely draw here in stall 12, he should make another bold bid. King Zafeen was well backed at Southwell eight days ago, but was a bit too keen early on and was just touched off. Jamie Spencer, who partnered Auentraum to victory last time, switches to the Easterby raider, and despite his low draw, he should not be far away. James Doyle's sister Sophie burst into the limelight when guiding Christmas Truce to score at Lingfield on Monday, but that was in worse company than this and the pair will struggle to repeat the feat. Jalouhar ran well to be third to Desert Light at Wolverhampton on his first outing for John Best, while Wodhill Be figured in a close finish at the same track last month and will be suited by a strong pace. The best race of the day on the Polytrack can go to Auentraum.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Made virtually all, in command from 2f out, 4 lengths clear 1f out, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 1m sll (6) std beating Titus Lumpus (8-5) by 4l, 12 ran.
Auentraum (GER) 5-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, led 1f out, pushed out, won at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Mar beating Misty Princess (8-11) by 1l, 13 ran.
Abbeygate 20-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden, stayed on one pace, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bavarica (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Jalouhar 6-4fav (9-2) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Desert Light (9-2) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
King Zafeen (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (9-2) Pulled hard, held up in touch, led over 2f out, ridden, headed well inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Desert Fury (9-0) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
Prince of Gold 11-2co-fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, not trouble leaders, 6th of 10, 7l behind Favouring (9-0) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
Priorina (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Prominent, outpaced over 2f out, lost place, ran on well final furlong, 6th of 12, 3l behind Banjo Bay (9-7) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol in Mar.
Cloann (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden, headway over 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 4th of 12, 2l behind Only If I Laugh (9-0) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Mar.
