behind and never a factor
towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
dwelt and soon mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression
started slowly and behind, headway over 3f out, never on terms
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final 2f
mid-division, driven over 2f out, never near to challenge
took keen hold behind leaders, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, led over 5f out, clear 2f out easily
towards rear, pushed along halfway, some late headway, never near to challenge
led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, driven along halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace
Preskani gets the call here ahead of Quiet Reading, with Blue Empire looking best of the rest. Preskani continued his good run by winning comfortably over course and distance six days ago and, even under a six-pounds penalty, looks a leading player again. As course and distance winners, Gem Bien, Quiet Reading and Blue Empire must all be considered. Quiet Reading got back to winning ways last time and he is still on a decent mark judged on 12 months ago, while Blue Empire is four pounds better off for the three lengths he finished behind Preskani six days ago. These, for us, appear to be the principals, with the vote going to Preskani.
Kirin 5-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 7l behind Almanshood (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec.
Preskani 10-1 (9-1) Rear, headway 3f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec beating Priorina (8-7) by a nk, 12 ran.
Pending (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Stevedore (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Gem Bien (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec beating Star Fern (8-5) by a nk, 12 ran.
Flaming Shot (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Heartcrusher (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec.
Quiet Reading (USA) 11-2 (8-8) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec beating Greenbelt (8-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Blue Empire (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Prominent, driven over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Preskani (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Chairman Rick (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride and always behind far side, 17th of 19, 14l behind My Rascal (8-10) at Thirsk 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Sept.
