prominent, took strong hold and hanging left, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
with leaders until ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
narrow lead over 1f, remained close up, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
slowly into stride, always in rear
prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten
held up, headway 3f out, ridden, edged left and challenged over 1f out, stayed on same pace pace inside final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, readily
prominent, lost place half-way, edged left over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, no impression on leaders
NOBLE STORM can land an ordinary renewal of this valuable prize. Quest For Success represents a yard in cracking form and is forwarded ahead of the frustrating Wi Dud as the main danger. That said, Moorhouse Lad fits the profile of previous winners of this race so cannot be totally discounted; even though a leap of faith is required for anything other than a minimum stakes investment. Of the others: Pawan is a loveable horse but a very unlikely winner, while Mattima has a good deal to find at this level and is not difficult to overlook. The likes of Rebel Duke and Angus Newz are sure to be up with the pace and can play their parts to the letter. However, they will do well to live with the early speed of the selection and, assuming Ed McMahon has him primed for his first start of the season, Noble Storm is taken to fend off Quest For Success in his own mission for victory.
Noble Storm (USA) 3-1fav (8-12) With leader, led well over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Spin Cycle (8-12) at Newmarket 5f Listed stks (1) gf in Oct.
Mattamia (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) In touch, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 5l behind Cheveton (8-9) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sep.
Moorhouse Lad 25-1 (9-0) Chased leader until 2f out, 7th of 10, 5l behind Arganil (9-3) at Lingfield 5f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol in Mar.
Pawan (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Always in rear, 12th of 13, 10l behind Arthur's Edge (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Mar.
Quest For Success (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Always prominent, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct beating Excusez Moi (8-9) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Held up in touch, effort and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4l behind Arthur's Edge (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std in Mar.
Wi Dud 11-1 (9-2) Mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon no impression, 11th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Quest For Success (8-10) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Angus Newz 16-1 (8-9) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, some headway on inside over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 15, 8l behind The Nifty Fox (8-6) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct.
