soon led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra 1f out
held up well in rear, headway on outer approaching final furlong, ran on to take 2nd near finish, not reach winner
close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
dwelt, held up well in rear, headway on outer approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
in touch, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened quickly 2f out
mid-division, ridden when short of room over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up towards rear, wide and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden and every chance from 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, effort on inside over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on final furlong
close up on inside, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden, not clear run inside final furlong, switched left and ran on near finish
Another tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading fancies but the principals look to be Royal Oath, Easy Air and Malcheek and the vote is given to Royal Oath. The selection had looked very progressive until being fifth behind Dunelight last time. However the return to this shorter trip looks sure to suit and he is taken to score from a good draw. Easy Air rates the main danger as he acts well on this surface but he just gave the impression the handicaper had caught up with him when finishing seventh behind Ordance Row last time. Malcheek is another that could go well as he won well last time when defeating Stonecrabstomorrow but this looks much more competitive. Power Politics looked a horse to follow last season but has not progressed as expected so he can not be put forward with any confidence. Orchard Supreme is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Royal Oath who looks a value bet in an open affair.
Mr Lambros 25-1 (8-1) Overall leader on far side, headed 2f out and weakened, 13th of 18, 7l behind All Ivory (8-10) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Viking Spirit 11-2 (9-0) Behind, headway on inside rail 2f out, ran on final furlong to take 3rd last stride, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mutamared (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (2) pol in Sept.
Black Charmer (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Led early, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 12l behind Bygone Days (8-9) at Hamilton 6f stk (2) gs in Sept.
Easy Air 7-2fav (9-0) Not much room soon after start, mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 3l behind Ordnance Row (8-8) at Chester 1m hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Areyoutalkingtome 12-1 (9-1) Held up, headway on inside when switched slightly right over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 9l behind Kilworth (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (3) pol.
Power Politics (USA) 8-1 (9-4) With winner on outer, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 17l behind Shumookh (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Royal Oath (USA) 3-1fav (9-0) Behind near side, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong but no chance with centre group, 5th of 16, 9l behind Dunelight (9-2) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Beaver Patrol (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Mid-division, not much room inside final 2f, ran on inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mutamared (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (2) pol in Sept.
Malcheek (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Led 2f, remained prominent, led over 2f out, ridden, ran on well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Stonecrabstomorrow (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
King Marju (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 3f out, soon one pace, 5th of 13, 5l behind Glenbuck (8-7) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Sept.
Orchard Supreme 9-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, switched right to outer over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Zato (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Will He Wish 25-1 (9-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, soon one pace, 10th of 12, 4l behind Waterside (9-10) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Scandal Keeper (USA) Evensfav (9-0) Made all, driven clear over 1f out, readily, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct '05 beating You Call That Art (8-9) by 2l, 15 ran.
Secret Night 20-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Illustrious Blue (9-4) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
