in touch, driven over 2f out, staying on when not much room 1f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and effort well over 1f out, no extra final furlong
made all, ridden entering final furlong, held on well
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
always towards rear
towards rear, ridden well over 1f out, never able to challenge
held up, always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased winner, ridden well over 1f out, kept on until no extra final 75 yards
behind, ridden and headway 2f out, edged left and kept on well final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride and behind, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders
mid-division, ridden and lost place over 2f out, no impression when not much room final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Red Romeo, Nuit Sombre and Angaric and the narrow vote is given to Nuit Sombre. The selection was a fair third behind Bel Cantor last time out. That form looks solid and from a fair draw he looks a value bet in an open affair. Red Romeo rates the main danger on his latest second behind Gunfighter but he looks vulnerable to a less exposed type. Angaric is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with. Flying Valentino is another with place claims but he has been done no favours by the draw. Champain Sands was second behind Dispol Isle last time but that form has since been let down. This is a trappy affair and few can be ruled out but for the winner we return to Nuit Sombre.
Red Romeo 11-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, keen, ridden, led when hung left 1f out, stayed on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Gunfighter (8-6) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Prince Namid 16-1 (9-2) Never a factor, 7th of 14, 4l behind Bel Cantor (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Bel Cantor (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Okikoki 12-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 11th of 12, 6l behind Manaal (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Angaric (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, nk behind Nuit Sombre (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Held up, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 14, 6l behind Nuit Sombre (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Social Rhythm 22-1 (8-5) Behind, ridden over 3f out, headway on rail 2f out, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Transcend (9-1) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Flying Valentino 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 1l behind Drawn Gold (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo app hcp (5) gd.
King Harson 8-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 9l behind Bel Cantor (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Dispol Isle (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, switched stand side 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 5l behind Nuit Sombre (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Esoterica (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Dwelt, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind Spinning (8-13) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Champain Sands (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, nk behind Dispol Isle (9-3) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sept.
High Window (IRE) 200-1 (9-12) Chased leaders over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 15, 25l behind Suits Me (9-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Triple Shadow 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Princess Ellis (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Sept.
