tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headed 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, finished fast
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, driven and hung left over 1f out, soon no impression
dwelt, keen hold and soon mid-division, ridden on inside over 3f out, soon beaten
held up in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway between horses over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
keen hold in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, pushed along 4f out, driven to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure
mid-division to rear, ridden along over 3f out, soon not quicken, staying on when no room inside final furlong, not recover
held up in rear, headway down outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, never in contention
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
led until headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway down outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
keen hold, tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Ameeq,Strawberry Leaf, and River Alhaarth and the narrow vote is given to Ameeq. The selection has won his last two races in good style notably when beating Danehill Willy last time out. Granted he is rising in the weights but he is a progressive type and he is taken to win again. Strawberry Leaf rates the main danger as he won well last time when last seen beating Ghurra. However the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 269 day absence and for that reason he is opposed.River Alhaarth was a fair second behind Kershan l;ast time and is another with place claims especially as he is sure to strip fitter here. Chantaco is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best. Of the remainder Mina A Salem looks on a handy mark and could go well at a price but in a race that throws up more questions than answers and where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to the progressive Ameeq.
Thyolo (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Pulled hard, tracked leader until over 2f out, 10th of 13, 9l behind Something (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Chantaco (USA) 7-2jt-fav (8-13) Made all, led steady pace, quickened clear over 1f out, easily, won at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Missatacama (9-1) by 9l, 7 ran.
Liakoura (GER) 25-1 (8-3) In touch, hampered over 1f out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 7l behind Notnowcato (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Given A Choice (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, kept on until headed inside final furlong, no extra, 7th of 14, 3l behind Miss Provvidence (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk 0-85 (3) gf in Sept.
Prince Samos (IRE) 11-2co-fav (9-3) Behind, outpaced 3f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Wavertree Warrior (8-5) at Windsor 1m hcap (4) gd.
Strawberry Leaf 3-1fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, led going well inside final 2f, ridden clear and in command final 100 yards, won at Goodwood 1m 1f fll hcp (3) sft in Jul beating Ghurra (9-6) by 2l, 9 ran.
River Alhaarth (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Prominent, chased leader over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, headed final 150 yards, no extra, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Kerashan (8-13) at Kempton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Ameeq (USA) 9-2 (8-5) Held up 5th, chased leaders 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Mar beating Danehill Willy (9-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Ionian Spring (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, effort 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 8l behind Nevada Desert (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct.
Star Magnitude (USA) 7-1 (9-4) Started slowly, held up towards rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on to lead final 20 yards, won at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol beating Augustine (8-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Cool Hunter 11-2 (9-3) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 16, 15l behind Traprain (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
Barry Island 13-2 (8-6) Slowly into stride, some headway over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 9, 8l behind Ameeq (8-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Mar.
Mina A Salem 7-2 (8-10) Led, ridden 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, pushed out, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 60-92 (4) pol in Mar beating Gingko (8-8) by 2l, 7 ran.
Transvestite (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway 3f out, switched left inside final furlong, kept on, 10th of 20, 5l behind Kingsholm (8-9) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
South O'The Border 5-1 (8-9) Raced freely, made most, soon 8 lengths clear with one other, reduced advantage inside final 3f, weakened and headed over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Obrigado (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Pevensey (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened and no chance final 3f, 8th of 11, 24l behind Obrigado (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
