always in rear
in touch, switched right on headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, all out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and outpaced halfway, kept on inside final furlong
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden in headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in rear, switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong, just failed
tracked leaders over 5f
raced wide, in rear, ridden halfway, kept on, not reached leaders
slowly into stride, keen and held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
raced wide and held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
From a short list that contains Cool Sands, Imperium and Moon Bird, we will select Imperium in this tight handicap. Cool Sands now races from two pounds below the mark he won over course and distance in March and, if in that sort of form, has got to be considered. Moon Bird now races from a pound above her course and distance winning mark from June and can be fancied on that basis, although recent efforts have been disappointing. Colonel Cotton has nosedived in the weights following some modest efforts, while Imperium improved to score at Kempton last time and, clearly in good heart , can go well, and The Crooked Ring has surely soon to be dropping to a mark from which he can show himself in a better light. Once again, though, the selection is Imperium.
North Fleet 13-2 (9-0) Pulled hard, prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong, last of 14, 30l behind Under Fire (8-6) at Brighton 1m 3yo hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Clearing Sky (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Raced alone stands side, no mpression when hung left over 1f out, 10th of 15, 6l behind Inka Dancer (8-7) at Nottingham 6f fll hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Discotheque (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 14, 5l behind Final Tune (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Halfwaytoparadise 66-1 (8-6) Made most, headed 2f out, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Resplendent Nova (9-1) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.
Imperium 6-1 (9-4) Behind, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well under pressure, won at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Oct beating Decider (9-3) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Fire of Love 16-1 (8-9) Chased winner, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 11, 4l behind Dab Hand (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Hotchpotch (USA) 4-1fav (8-7) Raced far side, chased winner 5f, 5th of 13, 6l behind Welsh Cake (8-11) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Sept.
The Crooked Ring 14-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong, weakened, 8th of 14, 3l behind Million Percent (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
