held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran to go 2nd final strides, to much to do
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never nearer
set steady pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, quickened clear entering final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong until final strides
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
in touch on outer, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden when weakened over 1f out
keen in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
dwelt always in rear
always in rear
towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impresssion
Nottingham third Whinging Willie has pulled the outside draw, which could be a problem for his inexperienced pilot. DIPLOMATIC has been lucky with the draw, however, and there appears no reason why Michael Squance's course specialist won't go close to completing his hat-trick having only been raised 3lb since his latest triumph. Woolston Ferry wasn't beaten far here last time and can also make his presence felt while Wilfred Pickles was second at Lingfield last month. Abigails Angel and Ogaritimo may be the pick of the remainder as Clonmel winner Auden has his first run for a new yard.
Diplomatic (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Soon in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway when not clear run over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, led close home, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct beating Lady Sylvia (9-5) by hd, 13 ran.
Wilfred Pickles (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd post, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Johnno (9-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Woolston Ferry (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not able to get one terms, 6th of 14, 2l behind Cape Samba (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Abigails Angel 7-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and edged left over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Magique (8-11) at Windsor 1m flls hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Oct.
Sugarformyhoney (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) In touch, effort over 1f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 6, 9l behind Compton Rainbow (8-9) at Kempton 7f fll hcp (0-75) (5) pol in Jan.
Galatian 33-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, headway when not clear run over 1f out, no room inside final furlong, not able to challenge, 10th of 13, 6l behind Diplomatic (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
True Pleasure (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, never a factor, 12th of 13, 13l behind Beckermet (9-5) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Ogaritmo 7-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair in touch, never on terms, last of 6, 15l behind Mandy The Nag (9-4) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Bold Ring 20-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 9l behind Mystical Sapphire (9-5) at Kempton 7f fll hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Boom To Bust (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Led until over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Alakhan (9-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
Auden (USA) 13-8 (9-2) Tracked leader in 2nd, ridden to lead entering straight and asserted over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Clonmel 1m 2f clm stks gd in Sep beating Hoppsan (9-3) by 5l, 6 ran.
Ivor's Princess 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, mid-division, hung left over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 15l behind Rioja Day (8-9) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Oct.
Catch The Cider 5-2fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway towards insid eover 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 14, 5l behind Bowstar (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Oct.
Whinging Willie (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Slowly away towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Handheld (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
