dwelt, pushed along in rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
towards rear, ridden halfway, never a factor
made most, ridden and ran on final furlong
raced wide mid-division, effort entering final 2f, weakened and eased inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakening when short of room entering final furlong
towards rear, switched right over 1f out, headway when switched left approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on, not reach winner
went right start, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong
in touch, pushed along 2f out, never a factor
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
slightly hampered start, close up, ridden halfway, kept on same pace
Low numbers have easily done best over the past few years and Chris Wall has won it three times. Pearl Blue represents the Newmarket handler but all of his four victories have come with some give in the ground so more rain is required. He was less than 2l behind New Fforest in a similar grade race at Leicester in September but was conceding 10lb and should turn the tables at the revised weights. Taajub was narrowly beaten in this two years ago and arrives with a recent Polytrack success behind him while Fair Value is on exactly the same mark as when successful over the track and trip in 2012, her last victory. Peace Seeker is in decent form but hasn't won from a mark this high while Fitz Flyer has generally needed a run to put him straight though the booking of Kieren Fallon is a plus. SWISS CROSS won a handicap at Wolverhampton on his reappearance but had little chance in a Listed contest at Lingfield last time. He's on a lower mark on Turf and with a good draw he's taken to gain his second victory on the course.
Pearl Blue (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Raced stand side towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 19, 2 1/4l behind Dungannon (8-7) at Doncaster 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Tennessee Wildcat (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Raced stand side, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 8l behind Lucky Beggar (8-13) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gs.
Caspian Prince (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Led until ridden over 1f out, no extra and lost 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 9l behind Barracuda Boy (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Taajub (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Close up, effort on inner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 5l behind Addictive Dream (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Fitz Flyer (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, last of 10, 9l behind Perfect Pasture (9-1) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Elusivity (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and went 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on leading duo, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Alben Star (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan.
Imperial Legend (IRE) 15-2 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 10l behind Even Stevens (8-7) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-100 (2) hvy in Oct.
Peace Seeker 5-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, no impression on winner, held on for 2nd, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Breccbennach (8-11) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Fair Value (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Led, ridden and hung right 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Picansort (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Diamond Charlie (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, chased winner until badly hampered over 2f out, soon behind, not recover, 7th of 9, 6l behind Breccbennach (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
New Fforest 16-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders centre, not clear run and switched right inside final 2f, soon ridden and one pace, no impression final furlong, 10th of 15, 6l behind Steps (8-12) at Ascot 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Oct.
Barnet Fair 13-2 (9-4) Taken to post early, raced wide always in rear, 9th of 10, 6l behind Upavon (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Swiss Cross 33-1 (9-0) Tracked wide close up, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 6l behind Stepper Point (9-3) at Lingfield 5f Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Stone Of Folca 20-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, driven 2f out, weakened 1f out, 13th of 16, 9l behind Dungannon (9-3) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
Monumental Man 5-1 (9-3) Raced wide in touch, ridden and no impression final furlong, 7th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Picansort (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
