raced in mid-division, lost place 3f out, eased when no chance final 2f
disputed lead to 4f out, chased leaders, hard driveon inside over 2f out, soon weakened
rearing in stalls, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
disputed lead to 4f out, chased leader to 2f out, soon weakened and eased
mid-division, ridden on outside 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, headed 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression and lost 2nd final 100 yards
towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, soon struggling
chased leaders on outside, weakened 2f out
took keen hold, pressed leader on outer, led 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, good headway over 1f out, chased winner final 100 yards, closed strongly near finish, just held
Crystal Gazer and Alfresco look to be the best in what is a competitive heat, while Russian Symphony and Giant Slalom have points of recommendation, but the vote here goes to Crystal Gazer just gets the nod. The selection landed a c&d success back in May and has run well much of the time since, including when winning readily over 6f here last time. Up 5lb for that success, she has got plenty going for her and can follow up. Alfresco was a c&d winner, running on strongly to score here last month. A 6lb rise does not look insurmountable, and Pat Eddery's charge can go well again. Russian Symphony took Hessian all the way at Lingfield last time but is hard to win with and from 2lb higher is fighting for a place again, while Giant Slalom won a weaker contest than this at Wolverhampton and will find this tough from 5lb higher. An interesting contest then, and Crystal Gazer can take it.
Crystal Gazer (FR) 3-1fav (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept beating Hucking Hill (8-3) by 1l, 10 ran.
Russian Symphony (USA) 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, chased winner after, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Hessian (8-5) at Lingfield 7f hcap (4) pol in Sept.
Alfresco 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside from over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish, won at Kempton 7f hcap (4) pol in Sept beating Landucci (8-12) by a nk, 13 ran.
Phluke 9-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 4l behind South Cape (8-9) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sept.
Jacaranda Ridge 10-1 (8-11) Raced centre, tracked winner, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 6l behind Medicea Sidera (8-12) at Newmarket 7f fll hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Viva Volta 3-1fav (9-10) Chased winner until no extra over 1f out, 5th of 9, 6l behind Dakota Rain (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 5l behind Matsunosuke (9-1) at Sandown 5f hcap (4) gf in Sept.
Shustraya 20-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 5l behind Premio Loco (9-2) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Sailor King (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Alfresco (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcap (4) pol in Sept.
Goodbye Cash (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Crystal Gazer (9-0) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Nobilissima (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Esteem Machine (9-1) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Giant Slalom 15-8fav (9-0) Soon led,ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Sept beating All You Need (8-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Abunai 14-1 (8-11) In touch, headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Premio Loco (9-2) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Nordic Affair 12-1 (8-12) Held up in 6th, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling, tailed off, 7th of 8, 34l behind Mull of Dubai (9-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Jul.
