prominent, ridden 4f out, edged left and one pace inside final furlong
led, headed over 11f out, lost place over 8f out, tailed off final 5f
took keen hold, mid-division, headway over 11f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 6f out, chased winner over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
took keen hold, held up, headway 7f out, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, driven out
prominent, led 7f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders until lost place over 6f out, soon behind
mid-division, lost place 12f out, well behind final 6f
pulled hard and held up, good headway to lead over 11f out, headed 7f out, weakened over 5f out
Billich returned to winning ways in good style here last time and can follow up in a weak handicap, Champagne Shadow and Victory Quest look to be the main dangers. The selection's victory finally proved he stays this trip well and with most of these out of form he should go in again. Top-weight Champagne Shadow landed a couple of modest races in the summer and wasn't disgraced here last time out. The extra distance shouldn't be a problem and a big run is expected. Victory Quest isn't too consistent but has claims on his best form and could be capable of reaching the frame. All in all it isn't the strongest of contests and Billich is the obvious form choice.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 11-4 (10-0) Prominent, chased winner after 4f, ridden 2f out, ran on well close home, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Rehearsed (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
El Tiger (GER) 50-1 (8-11) Always behind, last of 14, 30l behind Abhisheka (9-8) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Flame Creek (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Towards rear, joined the leaders 7f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened rapidly over 2f out, last of 8, 37l behind Odiham (9-4) at Kempton 2m lst stk (1) pol.
Billich 5-2 (8-6) Held up, headway 5f out, ridden 2f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Reinstated (8-6) by 2l, 6 ran.
Victory Quest (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost touch from over 4f out, 6th of 8, well behind Trinity Rose (9-3) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Find The King (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Held up behind, some late headway from 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 13, 14l behind Grasp (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Proprioception (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) In touch, no impression from 6f out, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Robbie Can Can (8-5) at Chepstow 1m 4f app hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Gallileo Figaro (USA) 9-1 (8-11) Led and soon hung right, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 7, 11l behind Power of Future (9-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
