chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up behind, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on, no impression
made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely final furlong
held up behind, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, not reach leaders
in touch, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased winner, ridden and effort over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra towards finish
soon behind, outpaced halfway never dangerous
towards rear, kept on final 2f, never near leaders
Plenty of in-form horses here and the most tentative of votes goes to River Thames ahead of the hat-trick seeking Mafaheem, Paris Bell and Chjimes. The selection was very impressive when winning last time out but it wouldn't pay to make too much of that; it was a fairly weak race and he hasn't always reproduced good runs in the past. However he is only four, still has room for improvement and he goes well on the ground. Jamie Spencer retains the ride and he may have injected some more confidence into his mount. Stablemate Tamagin and also Sir Nod may just need the runs as both are returning from breaks, so of more interest is Chjimes who takes a drop in trip and looks a threat. Mafaheem has been winning sellers and may be outclassed here. Watch for a market move on Tim Easterby's Observatory Star and act accordingly, whilst Done Pele shouldn't be ruled out for his in-form jockey Liam Jones. River Thames won so well last time out that it would be rude to desert him, and he is taken to follow up under his 6lb penalty.
Prince Namid 6-1 (9-9) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Prospect Court (8-8) at York 6f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy.
Sir Nod 5-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed when unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Zarzu (8-7) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Paris Bell 6-1 (8-13) Held up and keen, headway and switched left over 1f out, just failed, 2nd of 8, hd behind Prospect Court (8-8) at York 6f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy.
Tamagin (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 5l behind Happy as Larry (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
River Thames 6-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, smooth headway 2f out, switched right and led on bit over 1f out, soon clear, not extended, won at Ayr 6f hcap (4) gs beating Cross of Lorraine (8-12) by 4l, 11 ran.
High Reach 12-1 (8-12) Made most to over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind River Thames (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcap (4) gs.
Chjimes (IRE) 14-1 (7-13) Took keen hold, tracked leader, challenged over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Danehillsundance (8-11) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Cornus 6-1 (9-11) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 6l behind Zennerman (9-12) at W'hampton 7f hcap (5) pol.
Mafaheem 11-8fav (9-8) won at Windsor 6f sll (5) hvy beating Kassuta (8-3) by a nk, 11 ran.
Petite Mac 11-1 (8-8) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 12, 6l behind Skyelady (9-5) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Don Pele (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Bumped start, in touch, hard driven and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Dig Deep (9-12) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Observatory Star (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Stamford Blue (9-8) at Warwick 6f hcap (4) gd.
