made all, ridden and hung right from over 1f out, ran on
chased winner, every chance 2f out, hampered just over 1f out, stayed on same pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, never nearer
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, struggling over 2f out, rider dropped whip inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, hung left from over 1f out, one pace
It looks like PRECISION BREAK for Paul Cole will take all the beating in this contest and he gets the nod with Lochiel and Chookie Hamilton the main dangers. Our selection has been running really well recently and has scored twice in three outings in similar company. When he failed to take victory two runs ago he was just unable to defy a three pound rise when third at Southwell but the winner of that contest has gone on to win again since so the form has been franked. Trip and ground hold no fears so he holds solid claims. Waiting in the wings if anything goes amiss is Lochiel, who had a great campaign at this level over the summer. It's three winners from the last seven for Robert Winston's mount but there is a slight doubt he'll stay the trip after not quite getting home over his first attempt at this distance last time. Chookie Hamilton runs on the artificial surface after a couple of decent showings on the turf. After considerably stepping up in class on his last visit to a racecourse the gelding ran well to finish third and he will stay this distance after running on well on that occasion. He is definitely one to put in the mix but Precision Break should prove too good. (Jamie Watson)
Precision Break (USA) 2-1fav (9-4) Always prominent, led on bit over 2 out, driven clear over 1f out, eased near finish, won at Great Leighs 1m 5f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Bushy Dell (8-9) by 6l, 6 ran.
Lochiel 7-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Always Bold (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (3) sft in Sept.
Barawin (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) In touch and keen, weakened from 3f out, 4th of 5, 24l behind Ella (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Chookie Hamilton 7-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden over 4f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Grandad Bill (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct.
Apache Fort 14-1 (9-9) Smooth headweay over 3f out, challenged over 2f out, soon led, stayed on well final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f app clm (6) pol in Oct beating Veloso (9-8) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Venir Rouge 12-1 (9-1) Prominent, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, 12th of 16, 17l behind Spirit of Adjisa (8-11) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct.
Five Two 7-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway in 6th 2f out, ridden in 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Luzdeluna (9-11) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 0-70 pol in Oct.
