pulled hard chasing leaders, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well
behind, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, never nearer
keen, prominent, lost place over 2f out
slowly into stride, in touch, headway when not clear run 2f out, kept on well closing stages
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, no impression
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on, never nearer
pulled hard towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms
prominent, every chance from over 2f out, kept on well final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
prominent, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
always towards rear
dwelt, soon led, hard driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
Beaten in a higher grade at Chelmsford last time, Al Khan has a shout with an apprentice’s allowance helping his cause while Alice Thornton has won a couple of lower grade handicaps here recently and is still improving. War Department is now 12lb higher than his earlier success over track and trip but Fingal's Cave scored off today’s mark at Epsom in June. Westwood Hoe continues to slide down the weights but the less exposed TAILWIND (NAP) will likely improve for this step up to a mile and Roger Varian’s colt gets the nod on only his third start of the year.
Al Khan (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) In touch, headway 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Qaffaal (8-9) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Handsome Dude 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Kenny The Captain (8-13) at Newcastle 6f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Westwood Hoe 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 15, 6 1/2l behind Shouranour (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
War Department (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Amazement (9-5) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Lexington Times (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Keystroke (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Fingal's Cave (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Keystroke (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Lil Sophella (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Dwelt, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 9th of 15, 6 1/2l behind Qaffaal (8-9) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Tailwind 9-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Mazzini (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Like No Other 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 11, 12 1/4l behind Carolinae (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Altharoos (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 13 1/4l behind Father Bertie (9-10) at Redcar 1m hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Alice Thornton 2-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, tracked leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newcastle 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Nov beating Who's Shirl (8-7) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bell Heather (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Raced wide held up, never on terms, 11th of 15, 7l behind Pearl Spectre (9-6) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Tellovoi (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Captain Revelation (9-5) at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
