tracked leader, hard ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, headway over 1f out, never nearer
led, driven and headed over 2f out, gradually lost place
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
raced in rear, driven and not clear run 2f out, badly hampered over 1f out, soon eased, virtually pulled up
mid-division, hard driven over 4f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven clear, ran on well
settled in mid-division, headway over 2f out, effort when edged right over 1f out, stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, never nearer
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, soon one pace
raced in rear, headway over 2f out, driven when hampered and unseated rider over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on well, no chance with winner
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost place
The pick of the more exposed runners here would have to be Christmas Carnival, who has progressed well of late and acts on the ground, but up another 4lbs he's taken on in favour of handicap debutant TAQLEED. John Gosden's charge clearly improved for a gelding operation when romping home at Nottingham. The handicapper has taken no chances with a rating of 85 but he is well bred and his dam won on soft ground; we're hopeful he can follow suit now stepped beyond a mile. Sharedah is already proven at the trip and is the choice of Richard Hills so must be considered the biggest threat but her maiden form hasn't really worked out and she might be vulnerable to her less exposed rival. Qalahari benefitted for dropping to a career-low mark last time and, although no match for the winner, must be considered off the same mark stepped up to 1m2f, along with Cumulus Nimbus who is closely matched with Sharedah although admittedly more exposed.
Bencoolen (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on strongly under pressure to dead heat post, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf deadheating with Jonny Lesters Hair (9-4), 13 ran.
Moynahan (USA) 9-2 (9-8) In touch, lost place 6f out, switched left over 1f out, headway soon after, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Mirror Lake (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
The Only Key (8-11) 7th of 18, 2 1/2l behind Savoie (8-11) at Deauville(FR) 1m 1f lst stk std in Dec.
Reve De Nuit (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, not much room on inside 9f out, ridden over 3f out, never on terms, 9th of 18, 10l behind Sweet Lightning (9-8) at York 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Cumulus Nimbus 15-2 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside from over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish, going on close home, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Forte Dei Marmi (9-6) at Sandown 1m 2f hcap (2) gf.
Fanditha (IRE) 9-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner briefly over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Nave (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Qalahari (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 2f out, headway and edged left entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd post, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Titbit (9-2) at Newmarket 1m flls hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Taqleed (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Led 2f, prominent, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gs beating Tasza (8-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Christmas Carnival 7-2fav (9-7) Made virtually all, joined over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) sft beating Mark Twain (9-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sedgwick 50-1 (8-3) Held up in rear on outside, ridden and headway on stands side over 2f out, weakened final 100 yards, 11th of 16, 6l behind The Fonz (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Sharedah (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Made all, joined 3f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Finest Reserve (9-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bahamian Music (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along to challenge on inside over 2f out, soon led, driven from over 1f out, all out, won at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Snoqualmie Star (8-13) by shd, 7 ran.
Sharaayeen 10-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, in touch, not clear run from 2f out, switched left, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Jet Away (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Essexbridge 7-2fav (9-1) Always prominent, ridden and every chance from over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 2l behind Absinthe (9-13) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
