took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on, held on well
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not reach leaders
started very slowly, always in rear of group, never a factor
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, nearest finish
never better than mid-division
behind, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, always just held final 100 yards
took keen hold, in touch, effort well over 1f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
steadied start, soon prominent, ridden and no impression over 1f out, faded final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, weakened 1f out
tracked leaders to 2f out, weakened rapidly final furlong
always in rear group, never a factor
behind, ridden and lost touch quickly 3f out, eased final furlong, tailed off
led, ridden well over 1f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
A competitive opener that can go the way of Megalala at the expense of Busy Man and Ernmoor. The selection was in the winners enclosure over course and distance last time out in a similar contest and looks likely to follow on from that success. He usually races keen in his races but does possess a good turn of foot when required and if able to recapture his recent form then we feel he has the class to win again. Of his rivals Busy Man will pose as the biggest danger. Although win less after twenty starts he has shown enough in the past to warrant respect as he was only narrowly beaten in a similar looking race over course and distance back in October so any market moves should be noted. Ernmoor caught the eye when third to the selection last time out. He was not beaten very far and does have a six pound turn around in the weights to give him a solid chance of turning the placings around. Having said that Megalala looked to have had a little extra in reserve that day so we will return to him as the likely winner.
Megalala (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, quickened to lead final furlong, soon clear, won at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol beating Sorbiesharry (8-9) by 1l, 10 ran.
Bollywood (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 10l behind Dushstorm (8-9) at Lingfield 1m sll (6) pol.
Burnley (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Always behind, 13th of 14, 31l behind Snowberry Hill (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Busy Man (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Steadied start, mid-division, headway over 1f out, hard pressed and headed final furlong, no extra, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Megalala (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Elms Schoolboy 14-1 (9-0) Steadied start, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 10, 7l behind Megalala (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Ernmoor 14-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 5f out, outpaced, headway over 1f out, strong run final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Megalala (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Height of Spirits 9-2jt-fav (9-2) Steadied start, raced keenly towards rear, headway and switched right inside final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 14, 7l behind Bernabeu (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Nov.
Persian Khanoom (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 6, 21l behind Sawwaah (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol.
Salvestro 7-2 (9-0) Close up, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Megalala (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Yeldham Lady 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, behind final 3f, 9th of 12, 18l behind Scottish River (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan '07.
Chart Express 25-1 (7-12) Held up mid-division, weakened over 4f out, eased over 2f out, 9th of 12, well behind Cheveley Flyer (8-9) at Brighton 1m 2f hcap (6) gd in Jul.
Fun Thai 66-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 5, 24l behind Cape Velvet (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol.
Ponte Vecchio (IRE) 3-1fav (8-12) With leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Megalala (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
