started slowly, behind, headway 2f out, not reach leaders, one pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders to over 2f out, gradually weakened
held up behind, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on
started slowly, soon in touch, ridden along over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
behind, stayed on to chase leaders over 1f out, never nearer
took keen hold, prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, good headway on inside well over 1f out, never near to challenge
tracked leader, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
Ever Cheerful is the pick ahead of Green Lagonda, Monashee Prince and Chatshow to name but a few. There are plenty in with chances in this open handicap, but a narrow vote is given to Ever Cheerful who has been in consistent form of late. The Andy Haynes-trained six-year-old gained his latest success over seven furlongs at Lingfield just three days ago when giving weight and a beating to Solicitude, and should not be inconvenienced by this drop back in trip. Still well enough handicapped compared to last year, he can score again. Ex Australian Green Lagonda opened his British account here over five furlongs last month, and now steps back up in trip. That should not present a problem, as he won over six-furlongs down under, and he is another for the short-list. Monashee Prince had the measure of Chatshow at Wolverhampton last time, and now lines up on even better terms, so should at least hold that rival, while further down the weights, Gimme Some Lovin and Ruman make a bit of each-way appeal. In a hard one to call, Ever Cheerful gets the nod.
Monashee Prince (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Chatshow (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Puskas (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Raced far side group, slow into stride, behind and outpaced, hung right over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 6l behind El Potro (8-9) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Green Lagonda (AUS) 10-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct beating Minnow (8-6) by 1l, 12 ran.
Ever Cheerful 5-1fav (9-5) Led, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, caught final stride, 2nd of 14, shd behind Quantum Leap (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Herb Paris (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no headway, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 11, 7l behind Encores (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Pauvic (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Stumbled start, soon outpaced, struggling halfway, soon beaten, last of 8, 19l behind Owed (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in May.
Gimme Some Lovin (IRE) 10-3 (8-6) Mid-division, soon dropped rear and ridden, came wide into straight, good late headway, not reached leaders, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Sweet Pickle (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Ruman (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Keen hold early, soon close up on outside, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, soon hung right, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Willhewiz (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Coseadrom (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-9) In touch, led 2f out, hard ridden when headed 1f out, soon held, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Tanforan (8-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Desert Light (IRE) 11-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Green Lagonda (9-2) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Anfield Dream 33-1 (9-4) Prominent stand side over 3f, last of 16, 43l behind Memphis Man (9-3) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Chatshow (USA) 2-1fav (8-3) In touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Monashee Prince (8-8) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
