Verdict

A C&D winner earlier this month with Rose Aurora behind, Now was denied a clear run when fourth back at this track last Saturday. But it's a mute point whether she'd have caught the winner FIRE IN BABYLON, as the Montjeu gelding was backed as though expected to improve for the longer trip after three starts in sprints and duly obliged, winning a shade cosily in the end. He's taken to follow-up here. Kai Mook is creeping up the handicap despite not winning though she should be in the firing-line once again, while Herschel also has claims back in handicap company having had little chance at the weights in a seller last time.

Formwatch

Kai Mook 11-2 (9-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Shirataki (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-68 (6) pol.

Missionaire (USA) 16-1 (9-9) Led, headed over 7f out, pushed along over 4f out, soon lost place, last of 13, 48l behind Now (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Carr Hall (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 9l behind Amana (10-8) at Warwick 1m 5f am hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.

Visions of Johanna (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 33l behind La Estrella (9-11) at Southwell 1m 3f clm stks (6) fbs in Nov.

Rose Aurora 15-2 (9-5) Slowly away, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 5l behind Now (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.

Lytham (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Always behind, last of 11, 11l behind Aviso (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-68 (6) pol.

Fire In Babylon (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, challenged final furlong, led close home, held on, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-52 (6) pol beating Hathaway (8-7) by shd, 13 ran.

El Libertador (USA) 12-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway on outside and hung left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 4th of 11, 3l behind Daniel Thomas (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.

Herschel (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in rear, went 3rd over 3f out, ridden 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Eagle Nebula (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.

Raghdaan 12-1 (9-2) In touch, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 14, 41l behind Spahi (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.

Now 7-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, not clear run 3f out, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, not able to challenge, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Fire In Babylon (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.

Moscow Oznick 33-1 (9-5) Led until over 5f out, soon lost place, 10th of 11, well behind Thundering Home (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.

Avon Supreme 9-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 11, 4l behind Daniel Thomas (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.

Grecian Goddess (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, stayed on to modest 3rd over 1f out until weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 10, 9l behind Sommersturm (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.