slowly into stride, held up last, headway on outside over 1f out, hung left, led inside final furlong, won going away
raced wide, soon chasing leaders, pushed along 3f out, staying on same pace when carried left inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden halfway, no headway
led, driven and headed 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
chased leader, went 2nd 5f out, driven to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed chasing leaders until no extra final 100 yards
always towards rear
held up towards rear, staying on same pace when not much room inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear on outer, staying on same pace when hampered and snatched up inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up, ridden and no headway final 2f
chased leaders to 5f out, headway going well 2f out, pressing leaders when hung left over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
took keen hold, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and outpaced by winner inside final furlong
In a very poor contest PICCOLO DIAMANTE gets a small nod ahead of the likes of General Feeling and Norcroft. The selection has been running really well of late and as a result has steadily climbed up the weights. That said he is just four pounds higher than his last victory and in his last outing, which was off a similar mark showed that won't necessarily be a problem. It's a step into the unknown as far as the trip is concerned but he should get it and in this company looks the better animal. Norcroft is another stepping up in trip than taken on in recent efforts. Those performances have seen some consistent, if not spectacular, runs but he looks well treated and in this company could get into the prize money again. General Feeling was a course and distance winner last time but as a result has now been put up seven pounds for that outing and in recent times has found similar ratings a little too much to bare. That said only a small improvement would be needed here to score again. Aegean Pride is very unexposed compared to his rivals but has yet to show anything like winning form. The latest effort to get something out of him sees him step up to a mile on the polytrack for the first time and in against this lot he could feature in the minor places but Piccolo Diamante has the very tentative selection.
Star Strider 10-1 (8-13) In rear, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 10th of 15, 8l behind Outside Edge (8-13) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sept.
General Feeling (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leader, led well over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Nov beating One Oi (9-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Under Fire (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon driven and weakened, last of 13, 15l behind Stand Guard (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Over To You Bert 16-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, 17l behind Charlie Delta (10-2) at Salisbury 6f ldy rds hcp (6) gf in May.
Aegean Pride 10-1 (8-7) Held up behind mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong but never near leaders, 4th of 9, 3l behind Monkey Glas (9-3) at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Tilsworth Charlie 16-1 (9-3) Raced on outside in mid-division, ridden and no impression over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 8th of 12, 3l behind Comrade Cotton (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Norcroft 15-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, plenty to do over 1f out, good headway 1f out, ran on well final furlong and gaining on leaders towards finish, 5th of 12, 1l behind Comrade Cotton (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Piccolo Diamante (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear over 3f out, 9th entering straight, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, nk behind Guildenstern (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Lancaster Lad (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway and edged left 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 12l behind Kannon (9-3) at Brighton 1m 3yo hcp (6) gd in Oct.
Upstairs 8-1 (8-13) Held up on inside, stayed on same pace final 2f, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Royal Manor (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Mrs Jefferson (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Samurai Warrior (9-0) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Yakama (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 10, 6l behind Wellington Square (9-3) at Kempton 1m mdn aut stk (5) pol in Nov.
