slowly into stride, held up in rear, driven along 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
held up in rear, switched left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, smooth headway into mid-division 4f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, idled near finish, driven out
mid-division, headway on inside 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd 1f out, rallied as winner idled towards finish
in touch on inside, effort 2f out, soon ridden and found no extra
tracked leaders on outer, effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen hold, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
held up in rear, stumbled inside final 3f, no danger after
led for 1f, tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Ruse can win the finale at the expense of Sendinpost and Treetops Hotel. The selection caught the eye when running a personal best at Bath when last seen out in October. He finished second to Lunar River that day and a repeat performance will see the selection difficult to beat. Sendinpost won a race at Windsor back in July and has since failed to trouble the judge but has run well in defeat. If coming back to his summer form then he would have to be respected. Treetops hotel won back to back races at Lingfield in September and October but was exposed off the same mark last time out. He has since had a months break so could come back a fresher horse but for the winner we return to Ruse.
Inside Story (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, progress on inside over 2f out, hung right on bend entering straight, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Speagle (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol.
Treetops Hotel (IRE) 7-4fav (9-10) Held up mid-division, steady headway 4f out, effort to chase leaders over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Maximix (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Evolution Ex (USA) 4-1 (8-10) Led early, chased leaders, one pace final 2f, 6th of 15, 5l behind Maria Antonia (7-13) at Catterick 1m 4f app clm (6) sft in Oct.
Sendinpost 7-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders and keen, chased leaders 3f out, one pace, 4th of 8, 2l behind Your Amount (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Blackmail (USA) 16-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, effort on inside rail 2f out, soon no room and hampered, no danger after, 9th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Wee Charlie Castle (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Ruse 9-4 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase clear winner inside final furlong, no chance, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Lunar River (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f mdn aut stk (6) gd in Oct.
Lennoxtown (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 6th of 14, 7l behind Eccollo (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Serramanna 9-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, unable to quicken and soon weakened, 7th of 9, 12l behind Prime Contender (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
