mid-division on outer, 9th early, switched right under 2f out and effort, kept on well without threatening inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, raced towards outer straight, one pace 1f out
soon disputed lead, led under 1f out, soon edged slightly left and strongly pressed, kept on well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, waited with, closer in 7th straight and effort, switched left towards inner from 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
waited with, headway straight, one pace 1f out
tracked leaders, soon 5th, closed and effort straight, kept on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, soon 3rd, 4th straight, soon 6th, one pace 1f out
very slowly into stride, towards rear, raced on outer straight, edged left inside final furlong and one pace
tracked leaders, soon 4th, no extra final furlong
waited with, closed up towards outer into straight, one pace 1f out
dwelt, chased leaders, soon 7th, 6th straight, soon 4th, switched right under 2f out, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong
chased leaders, soon 6th, 3rd straight, challenged and every chance inside final furlong, kept on well without matching winner
a little awkward leaving stalls, mid-division early, soon 8th, one pace 1f out
soon disputed lead, headed under 1f out, no extra and one pace after
Polly Douglas was always travelling nicely when scoring over the course and distance a fortnight ago. She's never won off a mark this high but should get into the frame. Amanaat, a winner at Kempton for John Gosden, was having only his fifth all-weather start when battling to victory three weeks ago. He also has a 5lb rise and a high draw to contend with. Laughton won four times for Kevin Ryan though never over the minimum trip while Stanhope ran 17 times for Simon Crisford though all but one were over 6f. Ty Rock Brandy has spent much of his time racing in the UK winning three times, all at Wolverhampton, and he's changed stables. Nigg Bay is capable of going well from this mark and attracted some support here last time but missed the break. KASBAH began his career in Ireland before switching to the UK and was having his first start for Ado McGuinness when running well behind Alfredo Arcano last week. He's handed the vote in a competitive opener.
Amanaat (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, closer on inner 2f out, ridden to challenge 1 1/2f out, led last 150 yards, kept on well under pressure, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov beating Geological (9-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Kasbah (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Mid-division, 5th halfway, pushed along and some headway under 2f out, ridden over 1f out and no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Alfredo Arcano (9-13) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Stanhope 11-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, run flattened out towards finish, held on for 3rd, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Bernardo O'Reilly (9-3) at Newbury 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Excellently Poised 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Amanaat (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov.
May Remain 7-1 (9-2) Tracked stands side leader, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Hawaam (9-2) at Nottingham 5f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Nigg Bay (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Amanaat (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov.
Ty Rock Brandy (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, some headway on inner and ridden under 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Zig Zag Zyggy (9-2) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Sep.
Hee Haw (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and no impression on outer over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never a factor, 9th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Alfredo Arcano (9-13) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Mister Trader 16-1 (9-6) Pushed along to lead early, niggled along before halfway, headed over 2f out, ridden and weakened under 2f out, 11th of 17, 6 1/2l behind Aspen Belle (8-10) at Naas 5f hcp Yielding in Nov.
Polly Douglas (IRE) 5-1cfav (9-12) Edged left from stalls and bumped rival, rear of mid-division, ridden and headway on outer to go 4th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead closing stages, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov beating Ar Saoirse (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Laughton 18-1 (9-7) Dwelt, raced in 10th early, 12th halfway, headway travelling smoothly straight, pushed along under 2f out, soon briefly impeded and switched right, kept on without threatening final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Confrontational (9-8) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Dance Alone 16-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Amanaat (9-5) at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Nov.
Teddy Boy (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, ridden under 2f out and no impression 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Tyrconnell (9-1) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Joules 66-1 (8-4) Prominent, tracked leaders on outer, 6th halfway, ridden 2f out and no extra over 1f out, last of 12, 8 1/2l behind Alfredo Arcano (9-13) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
