held up, ridden and no impression over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, tracked leader on outer, led 5f out, ran on strongly final 2f, pushed out
slowly into stride, held up, well in touch 3f out, kept on final furlong nearest finish
pulled hard, raced wide in touch, very wide into straight 3f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out
prominent to over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, never dangerous
started very slowly, behind, headway 4f out, chased winner 1f out, always held inside final furlong
soon led, headed 5f out, weakened 2f out
promient on inner, chased winner over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, no extra over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
mid-division, headway and effort over 1f out, not pace to challenge, kept on
tracked leaders to over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
Scottish River can be hard to predict but appears to have leading claims in this company, while Graft, King Gabriel and Milk And Sultana are others to bear in mind. Milk And Sultana is a previous course winner that will be suited by today's trip. He does need to pick up his game though and, as he is never an easy one to predict, he is for the brave only. King Gabriel has not stood much racing in recent times but has claims at this level. He is one to carefully monitor in the betting. Graft won a similar race here on the turf course several years ago and knows what to do when his mind is on the job. The gelding has dropped to a fair mark and a bold run can be expected from him. However, Scottish River just gets the nod on this occasion. The Mark Usher-trained gelding can give his supporters a hard time by fluffing the start. But he has already proved that can still deliver the sucker punch with a success this month and it seems folly to desert him while he is holding his form. His claims are also enhanced by the weakness of today's opponents.
Wotchalike (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held off, reminded 5f, headway over 2f, edged left from over 1f, no impression, 5th of 10, 6l behind Synonymy (8-1) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcap (5) pol in Oct.
Scottish River (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Dwelt, soon in touch, every chance well inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 13, 3/4l behind Harare (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Graft 12-1 (8-13) Started very slowly, took keen hold in rear, denied clear run on inside from over 1f out, never troubled leaders afterwards, 9th of 11, 5l behind Reaching Out (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
King Gabriel (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, every chance and edged left over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3l behind Street Life (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Raise The Heights (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Behind, some headway 2f out, never nearer, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Escoffier (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Kalatime (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, headed well over 3f out, stayed prominent until weakened inside final 2f, 7th of 9, 6l behind Diamonds And Dust (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Kiama 9-1 (9-2) Prominent, led after 4f, headed 6f out, weakened 4f out, last of 10, 30l behind Mister Completely (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Captain Bolsh 11-2 (10-8) Mid-division, wide and headway straight, edged left inside last, one pace, 4th of 12, 4l behind Scottish River (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol.
