close up, ridden to lead narrowly entering final furlong, headed post
led 1f, pulled hard, ridden to lead again 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra near finish
mounted on track and taken to post early, held up in last place, in touch, effort on inside and soon every chance from over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, led post
led after 1f, pushed along and headed 2f out, edged left and rallied to go 3rd towards finish
A small field goes to post for the finale and we will put forward CORNUS, to get the better of Compton's Eleven and Compton Classic. The selection was a narrow scorer at Wolverhampton last time when he got the better of Strabinios King. He is no good thing today, but that represents solid form and he does look the most likely winner. Compton's Eleven is closely-matched with the selection on a form line through Strabinios King, but he is not the most consistent and he has not managed to get his head in front since last summer. Compton Classic will be suited by the return to this trip, while Thoughtsofstardom looks to have gone off the boil and the handicapper may now have his measure. This is not a race to set the pulse racing and the vote is given to Cornus.
Compton's Eleven 9-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on to take 2nd post, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Gallantry (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Thoughtsofstardom 7-1 (8-9) Steadied start, keen in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 4l behind Mutamared (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Cornus 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, led close home, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan beating Strabinios King (9-6) by a nk, 7 ran.
Compton Classic 7-1 (8-6) Went right start and held up in rear, some late headway, never on terms, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Drifting Gold (9-0) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
