soon led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, not clear run 2f out until squeezed through and went 2nd inside final furlong, winner gone
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to reach winner
slowly into stride, held up in rear, short-lived effort on inside over 2f out
soon tracking leader, ridden and hung right over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, driven final furlong, stayed on well
held up in rear, driven and struggling over 2f out
towards rear, pushed along 4f out, soon well beaten
mid-division on outer, ridden and beaten over 2f out
towards rear until moderate headway final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
PRINCE CHARLEMAGNE is a tentative selection in this wide open handicap, but also on our shortlist are Rose Row and Hucking Hero. The selection is one of only two course and distance winners in the field, the other being bottom-weight Mixing. Gary Moore's runner has more better form of late though, landing a hat-trick of lower grade successes earlier in the year, although at this level he's not landed a blow. The gelding's enjoying his best spell for three years since switching trainers, and comes here well in at the weights. Joint top weights Hucking Hero and Rose Row may find the burden too much. Rose Row has never won on the all-weather, and does best when there's a little cut in the ground, as was the case when winning at Bath and Windsor. This is her first run since last summer, and she may need it. Hucking Hero is the top rated here but has never won beyond a mile, and the trip may be a little too much. Although competitive, it's pretty moderate company here, and we'll side with Prince Charlemagne.
Rose Row 5-2fav (8-11) Made all, hard driven and held on well final furlong, won at Windsor 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Spring Dream (9-3) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Potentiale (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Dayia (9-11) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Valvigneres (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, plugged on, no danger, 4th of 11, 5l behind Okafranca (8-4) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Jul.
Clovis 7-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inside halfway, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 24l behind Moonshine Creek (8-10) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Murcar 7-2fav (8-12) In touch, effort 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Hendersyde (9-2) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Celtic Gold (USA) 10-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 13l behind Dishdasha (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Feb.
Mista Rossa 9-2 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure 3f out, soon weakened, last of 6, well behind Precision Break (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 5f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Apache Fort 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on to take 4th post, 4th of 8, 6l behind Manshoor (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Starburst 11-1 (8-12) Took keen hold early, close up in 4th, ridden over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, but no chance with front pair, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Planetary Motion (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Kiho 25-1 (8-4) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Monfils Monfils (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (5) gf in Mar.
Maximix 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 15l behind Brave Bugsy (10-13) at Bath 2m 1f Am hcp (6) gf in May.
Mixing 16-1 (8-4) Held up, taken right 10f out, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 14, 3/4l behind Barbirolli (8-8) at Folkestone 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Hucking Hero (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 6l behind Agapanthus (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Held up, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, took 3rd close home, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Shanafarahan (8-6) at Kempton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
