slowly into stride, held up in rear and keen, weakened over 3f out
towards rear, hampered when not much room on bend over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, headway 2f out, stayed on to lead twards finish
held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders and keen, one pace from over 1f out
held up in mid-division, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, headway on outer 3f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong
led and keen, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on towards finish
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish, no extra
NEW CHRISTMAS is our selection ahead of Monterosso and Syrian. Clearly a backward sort, connections had to wait until the winter before he posted two victories at Wolverhampton. He showed a very willing attitude in those successes and off a handy racing weight, he could conceivably be well treated. Monterosso has been busy on the artificial surfaces. He made light work of Lisahane Bog in a mile contest at Lingfield though we see him as perhaps being better over a bit further in time. Syrian was often well thought of in his juvenile days. His fifth in the Ascendent Stakes behind Emerald Commander is top notch form so even though the handicapper has given a mark of 95, it would be no surprise to see him supported. Eleanora Duse looked a tricky ride last term but could have mellowed for a winter away. Antoniola won off a mark of 76 in a Doncaster nursery. He was third in an auction stakes at Ayr that has worked out particularly well. William Morgan would be well served by the rain staying well away. A good renewal of this contest but New Christmas has been cannily campaigned and may well be ahead of the handicapper.
Syrian 9-4 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Simenon (9-5) at Ayr 1m 2yo nov stk (4) gs in Sep.
Monterosso 8-11fav (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, readily, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Lisahane Bog (9-4) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Antoniola (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Alrasm (9-3) by 1l, 19 ran.
Kumbeshwar 12-1 (8-12) Broke smartly, pulled hard, led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 22l behind Paintball (8-6) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Mar.
New Christmas (USA) 13-8fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon headed, hard ridden and rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Be A Devil (9-4) by nk, 5 ran.
Celestial Tryst 12-1 (9-0) Soon pushed along in rear, ridden and no chance when hung right over 1f out, 9th of 14, 18l behind Ransom Note (8-8) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Eleanora Duse (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Soon pressing leader, challenged 3f out, soon led, ridden over 1f out, drew clear final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Nov beating Inner Angel (8-11) by 4l, 13 ran.
William Morgan (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Towards rear, weakened over 2f out, 16th of 19, 17l behind Swilly Ferry (8-3) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Sep.
Jupiter Fidius 14-1 (9-0) With leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, won at Musselburgh 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct beating Taste The Victory (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
