held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, never trouble leaders
keen, tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, soon lost place
in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up in touch, mistake and fell 3 out
pulled hard, tracked leader, joined leader 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened before 2 out
led, ridden 2 out, headed soon after last, switched left, stayed on
in rear, headway bend approaching 2 out, soon went 3rd, ridden and every chance last, stayed on
always towards rear
close up, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, travelling well and headway bend approaching 2 out, soon chase leader, ridden to lead soon after last, stayed on readily
held up in rear, some headway 2 out, never dangerous
ZABEEL PALACE can continue his impressive recent form and land the finale at the main expense of Mutual Friend and Pascha Bere. The market may well prove informative here as the selection is trained by Barney Curley does have winning form here and he lost no caste in defeat behind Harry Tricker at Sandown last time out. He finished well clear of the third that day so the form looks solid enough and he can regain the winning thread. Mutual Friend beat McMurdo Sound last time which was a much improved effort after a disappointing effort previously. There may now be more to come from him, while Oldrik put in a good effort at Ffos Las last time behind Treaty Flyer and there will certainly be races to be won with him this season. Pascha Bere chased home the progressive Dani's Girl last time and a reproduction of that effort would surely give her a chance. Secret Tune finished well behind Oldrik last time and it is hard to see him turning the tables today. This looks a good opportunity for Zabeel Palace who is taken to get his head in front once again.
Mutual Friend (USA) 20-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway on inside after 5th, led and hit last, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Oct beating Mcmurdo Sound (10-5) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
Secret Tune 9-2 (11-12) Held up, headway on outside approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Treaty Flyer (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Premier Dane (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders 3 out, ridden approaching next, no impression, 6th of 13, 7l behind Nampour (10-12) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Tender Falcon 66-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway under pressure on inside approaching 2 out, kept on flat, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 13, 6l behind Serabad (10-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Son Of Flicka 6-1 (11-2) Led, blundered 3rd, fell 6th, in a race won by Five Dream (11-8) at Aintree 2m nov chs (3) gs in Oct, 4 ran.
Alph 14-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden 5th, soon struggling and lost touch, last of 6, well behind Katies Tuitor (11-8) at Kempton 2m hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Pascha Bere (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 4 out, chased leader before 2 out, narrow lead briefly before last, soon headed, driven and unable to quicken flat, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Oldrik (GER) 9-2 (10-10) Held up inrear, headway after 3 out, chased winner 2 out, jumped left last, no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Treaty Flyer (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Picot de Say 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, dispute in 2nd last, weakened final 100 yards, 6th of 14, 5l behind Right Option (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Oct.
Sunsetten (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, soon tracking leaders, led 2 out, headed when not fluent last, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Nampour (10-12) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Zabeel Palace 3-1fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, chased winner after next, no impression, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Harry Tricker (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Show Winner 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, challenged after 3 out, weakened after, 9th of 11, 38l behind White On Black (10-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
