in touch, beaten soon after halfway
led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen, tracking leaders, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, soon detached
held up, headway to join leaders 2f out, kept on to lead well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out and faded
Lost All Alone, Palais Polaire and Jessica Wigmo all finished in the money last time and all three look sure to feature here. Preference is for Lost All Alone. The selection showed improved form on his second run back from a break to run second here last time despite being carried across the track by the eventual winner. It may not have affected the result but it certainly didn't do him any favours and he should go close. Jessica Wigmo is running well at present and is hard to rule out but Palais Polaire is still searching for her first win and this is a little offputting. Nikki Bea has run well here in the past and isn't dismissed but Batchworth Blaise, another in-form runner, may be more effective over further. Plenty go to post with claims but Lost All Alone gets our vote.
Sagunt (GER) 33-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, struggling final 2f, 11th of 13, 8l behind Emma Jean Lad (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Nikki Bea (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Held up, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 1l behind Corlough Mountain (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Imperium 20-1 (8-12) Steadied start, behind, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Unlimited (8-8) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Strut The Stage (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dawson Creek (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Palais Polaire 12-1 (8-9) Close up, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 10, nk behind Silver Hotspur (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs.
Jessica Wigmo 8-1 (8-10) Held up, steady headway on inside from 3f out, led approaching 1f out, shaken up and headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1l behind High Class Problem (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol.
Rafferty (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Tracked leader on outer, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 27l behind Epidaurian King (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Lost All Alone 3-1fav (8-5) Broke well, held up, not clear run from 3f out until hampered well over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 7l behind Avontuur (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Batchworth Blaise 20-1 (8-9) Held up, not clear run approaching 2f out, switched left and kept on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind High Class Problem (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol.
