Chookie Royale has won four of his last seven starts and is still improving judged on his recent win at Wolverhampton. He's been placed but has yet to win on soft ground however. Prophesy ended last season prematurely with a win at Carlisle in August and there should be more to come from him this year while all ground comes alike to Maven but he's looked in the handicapper's grip since scoring at York in July. NOGUCHI is much travelled and has raced exclusively on the Polytrack since joining Michael Murphy. A winner on soft ground in Italy, it could be his turn today and he gets a speculative vote. Warcrown is lightly-raced but, with doubts concerning both trip and going, the French import Gran Maestro makes more appeal.
Chookie Royale 3-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Lean On Pete (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Prophesy (IRE) 10-11fav (9-2) Led, headed over 5f out, tracked leaders in 3rd, raced center from over 2f out, led inside final furlong, held on near finish, won at Carlisle 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug beating Hurler And Farmer (9-3) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Maven 4-1 (9-4) Slowly away, in rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 41l behind Kay Gee Be (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy in Nov.
Mr Spiggott (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) In touch, ridden 3f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 10l behind Boonga Roogeta (8-4) at Newmarket 1m Apprentice Handicap (0-85) (3yo) (4) sft in Nov.
Noguchi (IRE) 9-4fav (8-8) Held up behind, headway on outside over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Hilali (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Kiwi Bay 20-1 (9-1) Chased leader to 5f out, weakened over 4f out, last of 8, well behind Kay Gee Be (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy in Nov.
Trois Vallees (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division, headway and stayed on same pace final 2f, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 8l behind Loyalty (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Tres Coronas (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 5th of 11, 14l behind The Tiger (9-9) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Warcrown (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, weakend final furlong, 13th of 16, 25l behind Educate (9-7) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Gran Maestro (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Pulled hard close up, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Dream Win (8-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Musnad (USA) 5-1 (8-11) Raced wide held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Caledonia Prince (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4yo clm stks 0-70 (6) fbs in Feb.
