mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon one pace
always prominent, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, headed post
held up in touch, lost place over 2f out
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
held up mid-division, keen hold, pushed along over 4f out, headway on outside over 2f out, ran on under pressure to lead post
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway 4f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, driven and effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
soon steadied towards rear, headway from 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, no extra
led until well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led well over 2f out, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra
behind, headway approaching final furlong, ran on, never nearer
started very slowly, pulled hard in rear, never a factor
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
This is a moderate contest and what can only be a tentative vote goes to Smokey The Bear, who is marginally preferred to Josr's Magic and Play Up Pompey. The last mentioned has been running well without threatening the judge of late but has been given a real chance by the handicapper so has to be respected. Double Valentine has been showing a consistent level of form of late but may be a shade high in the weights, while Karmest has yet to reproduce his turf form on the Polytrack. Dawson Creek is better than he showed at Kempton last time but is another that may be too high in the weights at present. Josr's Magic has slipped to an attractive mark and has claims, if he can stay this far but preference is for Smokey The Bear who did not take to hurdles but recent flat form is solid and a reproduction of those efforts should suffice.
Raise Again (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden and no impression on front pair and lost 3rd final 100 yards, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Emma Jean Lad (9-0) at Kempton 7f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct.
Shaheer (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Stark Contrast (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Itsawindup 50-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, never on terms, 12th of 13, 21l behind Highest Esteem (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Jalandy (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, 3rd over 4f out, no impression from 2f out, one pace, 4th of 14, 9l behind Zaydar (8-3) at Downpatrick 1m 4f app hcp gf in Sept.
Play Up Pompey 9-1 (9-0) Steadied start, took keen hold in touch, pressed leader over 4f out until weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Hatch A Plan (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Double Valentine 6-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong and closed on leaders final 50 yards, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Under Fire (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Karmest 10-1 (8-11) Led for 2f, stayed prominent, chased leader over 1f out, every chance, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Oasis Sun (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Smokey The Bear 9-2fav (8-8) Held up, stayed on to chase winner over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Under Fire (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Tuning Fork 12-1 (8-6) With leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened rapidly and tailed off over 1f out, last of 13, 39l behind Double Spectre (9-4) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept '06.
Dawson Creek (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Pressed leader, effort over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 8l behind Birkside (9-11) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Josr's Magic (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 13, 4l behind Under Fire (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Busy Man (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Started very slowly, towards rear, headway over 2f out, strong run on outer final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Majehar (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in Oct '06.
Mucho Loco (IRE) 33-1 (7-12) Held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, soon struggling, 7th of 12, 19l behind Icannshift (8-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Jun.
Slavonic Lake 9-2 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Alonso de Guzman (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
