mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon not quicken, stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
pressed leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, headway when not much room over 2f out, eased out left well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
went left start, always behind
mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, switched right and headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken
towards rear, not clear run 1f out, never near leaders
towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, stayed on final furlong, not troubled leaders
led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A chance is taken on GRAND HONOUR ahead of King Of Defence and Fernando Torres. Paul Howling's gelding is a course and distance winner and he looks fairly-treated off a mark of 69. His wide draw isn't a huge problem for this confirmed hold-up horse and he should go close under new jockey Paul Doe. King Of Defence has been holding his form well and he is considered despite the tendency to do his best work on the bridle, Defector is consistent but the handicapper has no reason to lower his mark, whilst Kipchak looks high enough in the weights after his Wolverhampton win earlier in the month. The maiden Space Station wont mind a return to seven furlongs, Kensington is starting to look well-handicapped, whilst Resplendent Nova has been tumbling down the weights but hasn't looked threatening recently. Of more interest then is Fernando Torres who comes here in good form and he holds a few of today's rivals on his win on the 18th November. Bentley and Whodunit lurk down the bottom of the weights and cannot be written off, however it is Grand Honour who can win the last granted a race run to suit.
Space Station 3-1fav (9-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, gaining as winner idled towards finish, always held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Sutton Veny (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Kipchak (IRE) 9-2fav (9-10) Tracked leading pair, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Whitbarrow (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs.
Defector (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Prominent on inside, chased winner briefly over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Forward Feline (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Grand Honour (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Held up in 7th, pushed along and struggling over 2f out, never in contention, last of 8, 7l behind Wunder Strike (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
King of Defence 11-2 (8-4) Held up in rear off slow pace, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final 50 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Tiddliwinks (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Kensington (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Moojeh (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Resplendent Nova 14-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 11, 5l behind Seek The Fair Land (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Fernando Torres 13-8fav (9-0) Led, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept trying, held when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Wunder Strike (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Slowly away in rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 6l behind Kipchak (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Pha Mai Blue 12-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 9l behind Young Dottie (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Bentley 4-1 (9-1) Soon pushed along towards rear, headway over 1f out, not clear run briefly entering final furlong, ran on, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Charlie Delta (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f Handicap (0-63) (3yo+) (6) pol.
Whodunit (UAE) 3-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed well over 1f out, weakened, 9th of 12, 23l behind Amber Moon (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar.
Singleb (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Pushed along throughout and always in rear, 13th of 14, 22l behind Assail (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
