in rear when hampered over 2f out, soon beaten
steadied start, in touch, headway to chase leader over 8f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders early, soon mid-division, under pressure when badly hampered over 2f out, soon eased, virtually pulled up
in rear, switched right and headway to lead after 2f, soon hung right on 1st bend, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division early, raced freely and soon chasing leaders, pushed along when clipped heels and fell over 2f out
led until 10f out, tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven to challenge over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, never a threat
prominent early, soon restrained into mid-division, weakening when hampered over 2f out, no danger after
dwelt, held up in rear, under pressure when badly hampered and unseated rider over 2f out
took keen hold in touch, driven over 3f out, effort over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
PERSONAL OPINION found one too good over 1m6f last time but had earlier won over today's trip at Wolverhampton. He gets a tentative vote in a tight handicap. Last year's winner Castilio Del Diablo finished ahead of Viewpoint and has the beating of Noble Gift on his recent third over track and trip. He's also closely matched on earlier running with Dominandros and Energia Fox. John Reel bolted up in a maiden at Wolverhampton last time and makes more appeal than Reve De Nuit, beaten when odds-on in a claimer during the week.
Castilo Del Diablo (IRE) 3-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, switched to outer over 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Anglophile (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Energia Fox (BRZ) 7-2 (9-6) Tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, faded final furlong, last of 6, 3 1/2l behind Maverick Wave (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Viewpoint (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Prominent, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 4l behind Anglophile (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Noble Gift 40-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed last 50 yards, weakened towards finish, 4th of 13, 3l behind Anglophile (8-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Personal Opinion 11-8fav (9-5) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, steady headway on inside 3f out, switched right over 2f out, ridden and went 3rd 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Entihaa (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (2) in Dec.
Snowmane (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and effort on inside over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 13l behind Hidden Gold (8-9) at Wolverhampton 2m stks (3yo+) (2) in Dec.
Dominandros (FR) 16-1 (9-0) Set steady pace, ridden and quickened pace over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Grendisar (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Dec.
Dolphin Village (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 10l behind Old Town Boy (9-1) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Teolagi (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Steadied start, held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 3l behind Swing Alone (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Dec.
John Reel (FR) Evensfav (9-13) Held up behind in touch, headway to track leader over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear when ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f mdn stks (5) in Nov beating Royal Battalion (9-5) by 11l, 6 ran.
Reve De Nuit (USA) 2-5fav (9-2) Stumbled start, led, hard ridden when headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Street Artist (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f clm stks (6) fbs.
