chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leader, led inside final 2f, ran on well, eased close home
held up in last pair, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd final 100 yards, never going pace to threaten
held up in last pair, pushed along halfway, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders
chased leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
not much room on rail 5f out, chased leading pair, weakened over 2f out
raced keenly, led until well over 1f out, chased winner but no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
EXPLAIN improved with each run last summer culminating in an all-the-way victory at Ayr in October. That was achieved on soft ground but there's no reason why he shouldn't be as effective on quicker going. Cartmell Cleave was always in the firing line before gaining a convincing success at Wolverhampton in October though connections won't be happy with a massive 11lb rise. British Embassy also got off the mark at Wolverhampton and has shown enough on Turf to suggest he'll be competitive. Some Show landed a Windsor maiden in August then didn't perform badly in handicaps and none of the remaining trio can be ruled out in an open contest.
Explain 11-4fav (9-0) Led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, ran on, all out, won at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct beating Aprovado (8-1) by hd, 10 ran.
Cartmell Cleave 12-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) in Oct beating Lyfka (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
British Embassy (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged left, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) in Oct beating Tamarin (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Some Show 4-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, headway over 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong until final 100 yards, eased when held in 4th close home, 4th of 11, 3l behind Best Endeavour (9-6) at Kempton 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Zuzinia (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Chased leaders 3f, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 15l behind Commodore (9-5) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Pixeleen 20-1 (8-13) Went left start, chased leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, chased winner until 2f out, chased leading pair, ridden over 1f out, no impression and lost 3rd final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Spring Loaded (9-7) at Kempton 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Vejovis 10-11fav (8-13) Restless in stalls, led and raced off inside rail, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Middle East Pearl (9-7) at Chelmsford City 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
