in touch, left in lead over 4f out, headed over 3f out, regained lead 2f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, broke down over 4f out, soon pulled up
always behind
Gentleman's Deal is preferred to Very Wise and Speedy Sam. This is a good race and Gentleman's Deal is taken to follow up last year's success. The selection landed a major plunge last time out and if he can reproduce that form in spite of a modest draw, he is going to be a tough nut to crack. Very Wise is the obvious danger in receipt of lumps of weight. He is still open to plenty of progression and the market is watched. Speedy Sam continues to defy the handicapper and while the assessor has had another chance to look at him, he is proven on the surface. Uhoomagoo will be staying on when others have cried enough. Yarqus looks likely to ensure a strong gallop while Wessex has questions to answer over the trip. With the others passed over as they are some way out of the handicap, we return to Gentleman's Deal as the selection.
Gentleman's Deal (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Always prominent, led well over 1f out, driven clear, ran on well, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Dec beating Wessex (9-3) by 6l, 9 ran.
Speedy Sam 11-4 (8-0) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon clear, hung right under pressure inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov beating Alpine Reel (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Wessex (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on well, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Dec.
Yarqus 16-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on until weakened final furlong, eased towards finish, 8th of 9, 8l behind Orchard Supreme (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
Uhoomagoo 12-1 (9-7) Slowly away, never going well, always in rear, 15th of 16, 13l behind Killena Boy (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcap (2) pol in Sept.
Very Wise 9-4fav (9-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, led close home, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Atlantic Quest (8-13) by a hd, 6 ran.
Hits Only Heaven (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Held up, wide into straight over 2f out, not toubled leaders, 7th of 10, 13l behind California Laws (8-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Arctic Desert 4-1 (9-1) Took keen hold behind, headway inside final 2f, ran on well to take 2nd and gaining close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Prince Tum Tum (9-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
