led, raced keenly, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon hard ridden, kept on well under pressure
dwelt, pulled hard in rear, never a factor
tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden and strongly challenged, held on gamely
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, every chance well over 1f out, weakened quickly inside final furlong
mid-division, hard driven over 2f out, some late headway, never on terms
held up in touch, driven to challenge well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
raced in rear, outpaced 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on well, never reached winner
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon no impression
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, no extra close home
awkward start and steadied in rear, never a factor
held up in rear, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
Nollaig Shona was a rare winner for the stable when successful at Kempton last week and is unlikely to follow up that victory off a 4lb higher mark today. Amanda Perrett's Rio Royale has gone up 5lb for his win over course and distance last month so faces no easy task to win again and a better bet may be WOODEN KING, who can gain bounce back to winning ways. The Malcolm Saunders-trained gelding has been running consistently well of late with two wins at Bath and a decent second behind Towy Boy at Wolverhampton last time over the minimum trip; he can go one better today. Anjomarba has claims but may have to settle for a place at best, while Sweet Avon probably needs some help from the handicapper.
Nollaig Shona (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely, won at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol beating White Shift (9-7) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Rio Royale (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, edged left and ridden to lead 1f out, driven and ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (6) pol in Oct beating Lordsbury Pride (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Anjomarba (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Led 3f, hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 5l behind Hatta Stream (9-2) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Sep.
Wooden King (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Towy Boy (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Poppy Golightly 33-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 8th of 11, 10l behind Grand Stitch (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Sweet Avon 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon no impression, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Nollaig Shona (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Danzoe (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Bollywood Style 15-2 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Nollaig Shona (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Clerical (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Prominent, soon lost place, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, rider lost whip inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Methaaly (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Chinese Democracy (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, driven to chase winner 1f out, no extra near finish, 6th of 15, 11l behind Franki J (8-5) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Goodbye Cash (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened, 9th of 12, 12l behind Al Aqabah (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
One Oi 10-1 (9-3) Keen hold, held up towards rear, driven and headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 14, 3/4l behind Hits Only Cash (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Aug '09.
