held up, headway on inner over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on, not pace of winner
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, good headway over 1f out, led final furlong, ran on strongly inside final furlong
tracked leader, weakened over 2f out
in touch, one pace over 1f out
led, ridden and headed final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
behind and outpaced, kept on final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders on outer, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
KING'S COLOUR is taken to defy a penalty and land the nightcap; the list of alternatives is headed by Fen Spirit and Esteem Machine. A 6lbs penalty may not be enough to stop King's Colour who won with a bit in hand at Lingfield last week. He is clearly enjoying his racing and it is interesting that connections have decided to try and strike with him again while the iron is hot. John Gosden's lightly-raced filly Fen Spirit looks the obvious danger but she has been off the track for over a year and her fitness has to be taken on trust. The market may well be a guide to her chance and if the vibes are positive then she would have to be feared. Esteem Machine has a good draw and he has gone well over the course and distance in the past, although his best form is arguably over a slightly shorter trip. Black Dahlia is racing off a high enough mark but it didn't stop her at Wolverhampton last time and she can't be ruled out here either. We will stick with King's Colour to back-up his recent win.
King's Colour 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Southandwest (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Fen Spirit (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Tracked leading pair, ridden to lead entering final furlong, driven out, won at Great Leighs 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Nov '08 beating Kind Heart (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Esteem Machine (USA) 8-1 (8-9) Slowly away, behind, driven and headway on wide outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Kingswinford (8-11) at Windsor 6f clm stks (6) gd in Oct.
Snow Bay 7-1 (8-5) Raced keenly, led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Bay Knight (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Black Dahlia 3-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, keen, steady to mid-division over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Simla Sunset (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Bobs Dreamflight 11-1 (8-11) Rearing in stalls, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 8l behind Getcarter (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Learo Dochais (USA) 13-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 14l behind Pegasus Again (9-9) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Defector (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Led, clear 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Dubai Meydan (9-6) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Resplendent Nova 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division on inside, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and no further headway, 8th of 12, 9l behind Arteus (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Space Station 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 12, 2l behind Perfect Act (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
