ran green, made all, hung right from 2f out, ridden and pressed from over 1f out, hard pressed and edged left inside final furlong, just held on
chased leaders in 3rd, chased winner over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, kept on towards finish
tracked winner, challenged over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, just held near finish
in rear and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
A further 4lb rise brought Spiritual Flame's winning run to an end at Kempton last time. She'll be thereabouts once again but PEARL SPECTRE makes more appeal. He goes handicapping for the first time having won a maiden race at Kempton over 7f and today's extra distance should bring further progress from Andrew Balding's colt. Our Gabrial has been plugging away without success and it would be no surprise if the less exposed Capers Royal Star improves past him without being good enough to trouble the two principals.
Pearl Spectre (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Made all, came clear final furlong, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Cannock Chase (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Spiritual Flame 9-4fav (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear in slowly run race, driven on outside and plenty to do over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, finished well, went 2nd post, not reach winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Killing Time (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Our Gabrial (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, ridden and hung badly left from over 1f out, no chance with leading duo, lost 3rd post, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Giant Samurai (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Capers Royal Star (FR) 2-1 (9-5) Took keen hold and held up towards rear, switched right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Orange Grove (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Steventon Star 4-1 (9-10) Dwelt close up in last place, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Thewandaofu (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2yo nov stks (5) pol in Nov.
Act Of Charity (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Mid-division stand side, headway over 3f out, led that group over 2f out, kept on and no impression with center group, 4th of 10, 12l behind Hartnell (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
