mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway on outer from over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd post
led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed final strides
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader approaching 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, soon switched left, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outer approaching final furlong, stayed on, not reached leaders
held up in rear, plenty to do from 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on strongly to lead final strides
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 4f out, chased leader until approaching 2f out, no extra
always in rear
River Kirov comes here on the back of a confidence booster however he looks high enough in the weights and is passed over in favour of CHJIMES who looks guaranteed to get the strong pace that he needs to excel. Conor Dore's course and distance winner is edging down the weights for a series of average, if not startling, efforts. He has seven wins to his name, six of which have come at the track and he is now 5lb below his last winning one. Liam Keniry knows him well and this hold-up horse can pounce late for victory. Dvinsky is as hard as nails however Paul Howling's consistent gelding has an awful lot of competition for the lead including Mutamared, I Confess, Cut The Cackle, Comadoir and Cecily. Of more interest then may be Evelyn May and Ektimaal who are both likely to come from off the pace, whilst White Shift is now back to a very winnable mark and has a good pitch to work from. Bold Alaska, who has raced solely over a mile in three starts, looks an intriguing contender; this son of Cape Cross was a no-show in May on his first start for three years, however he could run well at a price. A very competitive sprint that looks sure to be fast and furious and we'll have our fingers crossed that Chjimes can prevail.
River Kirov (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Held up, headway on inside well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Oct beating Onceaponatime (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Cecily 11-1 (9-3) Pressed leader, pushed along halfway, weakened final 1f, 4th of 5, 5l behind Golden Destiny (9-3) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Evelyn May (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) In touch, ridden 2f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Ocean Blaze (9-8) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Bold Alaska (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Steadied start, always in rear, eased when no chance over 1f out, last of 10, 35l behind Forgotten Voice (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in May.
Comadoir (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Getcarter (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Cut The Cackle (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Restless in stalls, soon chasing leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 5l behind Getcarter (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Ektimaal 14-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Dance And Dance (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Dvinsky (USA) 12-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 5l behind Fantasy Explorer (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Mutamared (USA) 33-1 (8-6) Steadied start, held up in rear, some headway over 2f out, weakened quickly, 11th of 12, 9l behind Fantasy Explorer (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
I Confess 12-1 (8-5) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 5l behind Captain Macarry (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
White Shift (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up, switched right over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 25l behind We Have A Dream (9-4) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct.
Chjimes (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, soon one pace, 8th of 11, 5l behind Royal Intruder (9-0) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
