tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent early, mid-division halfway, weakened over 1f out
in rear, pushed aloong over 6f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong
held up mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, hung right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon no extra
chased leaders, led 9f out, headed over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, hung left and headed after 3f, chased leaders, faded entering final furlong
Competitive fare for a good prize. The majority are exposed but SHUBAAT certainly isn't, coming into his five-year-old career with just four career starts to his name. It's interesting that connections are persevering with the Monsun gelding and he launches into the current campaign on what appears a fair mark after an excellent effort on his sole start last term at Newbury. He's displayed plenty of ability overall in his quartet of outings and there should be plenty more to come from the Varian inmate. Mark Johnston handicappers can never be ignored in this type of contest and Jeu De Vivre, a four-time scorer last summer, looks the other potential improver on show and should get involved off a fair mark. Lexington Boy, progressive last season, the race-fit Copper Canyon and Unknown Rebel complete the shortlist.
Persian Peril 18-1 (9-6) Towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 19, 7l behind Dhaular Dhar (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Red Jade 7-1 (9-11) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 6l behind Direct Answer (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Kaolak (USA) 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, lost place 2f out, 10th of 16, 15l behind Qaraaba (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Shubaat 6-1 (9-9) Took keen hold tracked leading pair until outpaced 3f out, stayed on again from over 1f out, kept on to 3rd last strides, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Albert Bridge (8-8) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sep.
Lexington Bay (IRE) 9-5fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, last of 10, 39l behind Los Nadis (9-1) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Unex Renoir 6-1 (9-3) Held up, never nearer, 7th of 14, 6l behind Yasir (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Hollins 12-1 (8-5) Led, stayed alone on far side and headed 10f out, stayed prominent and gradually tacked back across to others, beaten over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 22l behind Cosimo De Medici (8-13) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.
Pittodrie Star (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed final strides, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Where's Susie (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Meetings Man (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, ridden and edged right 2f out, challenged and every chance over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Jonny Delta (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Jeu De Vivre (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader far side 8f out, led this pair over 1f out, no chance with stand side, 6th of 11, 22l behind Hawaafez (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Copper Canyon 2-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, switched right and headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden clear, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Kiss A Prince (9-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Unknown Rebel (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, kept on same pace, gradually weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Jonny Delta (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
