prominent, went 2nd 8f out until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, led 2f out, hung left over 1f out, ridden out
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, effort, ridden and hung left over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd 1f out
held up in rear, some headway final furlong, never troubled leaders
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
in touch, hard ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
narrow lead, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
tracked leader to 8f out, prominent, led over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always in rear, ridden and struggling over 3f out
KING RED is unexposed at this trip and Tom Dascombe's charge gets the vote ahead of Accompanist and Prince Charlemagne. Plenty of horses here who know how to win at the track and the selection is no exception. He was well in charge at the line last month when beating Inflammable and could be fairly treated off this mark of 72. Pocket Too is edging down the weights and will be fit after a hurdling run, Accompanist pips Sallybawn and Stalingrad to the position of most interesting Irish contender, whilst Prince Charlemagne is consistent and is considered despite a high enough handicap mark. Augustus John has a 4lb pull in the weights with the former, whilst Nakoma is a mare who needs to bounce back after a poor run last month at the track. Quinsman is considered after two good Lingfield runs, however it is King red who is selected.
Pocket Too 20-1 (7-12) Led until headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 11l behind Metaphoric (9-6) at Ascot 2m hcp 105 (2) gs in Jul '08.
King Red 3-1 (9-11) In touch, ridden to chase leader entering final 2f, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Inflammable (8-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Stalingrad (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Soon disputed lead, led approaching straight, headed and no extra from 2f out, 10th of 13, 27l behind Bluebell Rock (8-4) at Dundalk 1m 4f Handicap (47-70) (3yo+) pol in Nov.
Accompanist 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, headway entering straight to go 3rd 2f out, went 2nd and challenged inside final furlong, kept on well to lead inside final 100 yards, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp 50-70 pol in Nov beating Night Spark (9-12) by 1l, 14 ran.
Tropical Blue 10-1 (9-5) Always behind, 13th of 14, 20l behind Bollin Dolly (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Chalice Welcome (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Augustus John (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Prince Charlemagne (10-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f amt hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Sally Bawn (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In touch, outpaced 3f out, rallied inside final furlong, ran on, 5th of 12, 2l behind Insolence (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol in Nov.
Nakoma (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Shadows Lengthen (8-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Sheila's Castle 33-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 8th of 13, 7l behind Private Equity (8-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Wabbraan (USA) 40-1 (8-4) Pressed leader until over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Clear Reef (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Bold Adventure 7-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 11, 18l behind Black Or Red (10-0) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Quinsman 9-2 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, driven and stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Sircozy (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
