in touch in mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on leaders
very slowly away, behind, ridden and well beaten over 2f out
soon tracking winner, ridden and lost 2nd 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden and went 2nd 2f out until over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on, unable to challenge winner
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
made all, clear 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on, driven out
Stormbound is back on exactly the same mark as when last successful while Abertillery showed some improvement on his handicap debut at Doncaster and makes his all-weather debut on what looks a fair mark. Napoleon Solo dropped back to 6f at Wolverhampton and returned to form so he has to be respected over this longer trip but Gracious George wasn't at his best in the autumn, though likes it around here and did much better on his latest start last month. Spirit Of Gondree scored at Wolverhampton before making a bold bid to follow up at Chelmsford after a 4lb rise. EXALTED has had very little racing for his age and scored here last month. He only went up 2lb for last week's run here but was tackling slightly better company and didn't weaken until late so get the nod.
Farletti 8-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind India's Song (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Jan.
Stormbound (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, last of 6, 5l behind Rakaan (9-3) at Bath 1m hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Embankment 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Miss Van Gogh (9-3) at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
The Tichborne (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Raced wide held up, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Bold Prediction (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Abertillery 12-1 (8-7) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 4th of 12, 6 3/4l behind Sea Wolf (9-4) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Napoleon Solo 9-4 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, hd behind Jaiyana (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Gracious George (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Walk Like A Giant (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Spirit Of Gondree (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Keen in touch, headway entering final furlong, soon every chance, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Bridge Of Sighs (8-13) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Exalted (IRE) 11-4fav (8-8) Soon led, driven over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Isis Blue (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.