chased leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in touch, under pressure over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, soon hung left under pressure, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chasing leaders when not clear run entering final furlong, never a threat
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, driven and every chance over 1f out, weakened closing stages
tracked leader, driven halfway, weakening when short of room 1f out
Three of these are clear of the rest on today’s terms. Encore d'Or ran well in a Group 3 sprint at Dundalk when last in action in October while Stone Of Destiny has been off the track even longer having failed to figure at Newmarket in August. The veteran TROPICS has the more recent form when recording another win at Chelmsford at the start of the month. But he’s also won on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton in the past and Dean Ivory’s charge may prove good enough today. Ornate has been in fine form at Southwell and Outrage scored over track and trip a fortnight ago but both have plenty to find at the weights with the selection as do the remainder.
Encore d'Or 5-1 (9-11) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, 3rd 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Hit The Bid (9-11) at Dundalk 5f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Oct.
Merhoob (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Dwelt raced wide soon tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, headway inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Alsvinder (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Ornate 5-2fav (10-3) Made all, hard ridden when challenged over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 5f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Crosse Fire (8-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Outrage 11-2 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, ridden out, won at Newcastle 5f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Foolaad (9-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Stone Of Destiny 20-1 (8-12) Steadied start keen in rear stand side, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Limato (9-1) at Newmarket 6f lst stks (1) gf in Aug.
Suzi's Connoisseur 16-1 (9-3) Held up, never dangerous, 5th of 6, 13 1/2l behind Kachy (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (2) pol in Dec.
Tropics (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (2) pol in Jan beating Royal Birth (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
