steadied start, towards rear, good headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, took 3rd towards finish
in touch on inside to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly 2f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, soon behind
pressed leader, ridden and effort 2f out, no extra and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start, towards rear, some headway on outside over 1f out, never near leaders
led until headed 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, lost 2 places well inside final furlong
chased leading pair, ridden to lead 1f out, soon clear, driven out
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, not troubled winner
started slowly, always behind, struggling final 2f
chased leaders, 4th and ridden 2f out, no impression over 1f out
steadied start, always rear, lost touch 4f out, tailed off final 3f
THE GAME can win again in this handicap; the list of alternatives is headed by Internationaldebut and Ebraam. The selection has been something of revelation since joining Tom Dascombe in the summer and there was plenty to like about the way he won last time out when he got the better of Matsunosuke. He seems to be improving and we think he can comfirm the form with that rival and get his head in front again. Internationaldebut is an obvious danger as he is on a roll and he beat our selection a couple of runs ago. However, The Game was returning from a break that day and he has improved since. Ebraam hinted at a return to form when he chased home Turn On The Style here last time. He should again run his race but he doesn't win as often as he should and there is evey chance that he will once again have to settle for a minor role. Doubtful Sound is from a yard in decent form so he is another to consider, but this looks a good opportunity for The Game who is taken to score again.
Matsunosuke 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway on bit over 2f out, switched right, led 1f out, driven clear, won at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Epic Odyssey (8-6) by 4l, 7 ran.
Fyodor (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Dwelt and held up, smooth headway over 1f, ridden to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs in Dec beating Colorus (8-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 6-4fav (9-2) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, soon ridden and ran on to lead post, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec beating Prince Of Thebes (8-5) by a shd, 10 ran.
Tamagin (USA) 40-1 (9-6) Led far side, headed 2f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 29, 4l behind Furnace (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Ebraam (USA) 7-2 (8-11) Keen, held up, headway to lead on inside 2f out, soon ridden, driven and headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Turn On The Style (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
The Game 5-2jt-fav (8-6) Went right start, soon tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec beating Matsunosuke (8-8) by a nk, 7 ran.
Doubtful Sound (USA) 7-2 (8-6) Hampered start, soon close up, ridden halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind The Game (8-6) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Little Edward 4-1jt-fav (9-4) Always prominent, every chance 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Ivory Silk (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Mr Lambros 16-1 (8-13) In touch, under pressure well over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 12l behind Matsunosuke (9-3) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
El Dececy (USA) 20-1 (8-5) Led stand side group, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Judge 'n Jury (9-4) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct.
Wotavadun (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 21l behind Blackheath (9-1) at W'hampton 6f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
