mid-division on outside, outpaced 4f out, soon behind, switched inside and some headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders,
dwelt, behind outpaced over 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, driven over 3f out, ridden and effort on outside 2f out, kept on and every chance until no extra well inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon outpaced, gradually weakened final furlong
dwelt, behind, ridden 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders on inside, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, outpaced when hung left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never on terms
chased leaders, lost place over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
pressed leader, led 2f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, stayed on under pressure final furlong
behind, outpaced 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
Cape Of Storms made it four wins over C&D last time but it was a long time between victories and a 6lb rise may have put paid to his chances of following up. Still, he has the beating of Sir Louis, Memphis Man and Boy The Bell on earlier form but is likely to find DESERT STRIKE too good. Alan McCabe's sprinter has gone close here on more than one occasion, notably when runner-up in better company on his penultimate start, and he gets the nod to take this contest.
Prince James 5-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out, held on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Sarah's Art (9-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Desert Strike 8-1 (8-7) Pulled hard in mid-division, lost place over 2f out, 9th of 11, 7l behind Clear Praise (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Takajan (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden and hung left 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Punching (8-12) at Southwell 6f clm stks (6) fbs in Dec.
Cape of Storms 11-4fav (9-7) Made all, driven clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec beating Sir Louis (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Dwelt, switched wide soon in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f, 10th of 12, 18l behind Alpha Tauri (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Bel Cantor 9-4 (8-9) Led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression on winner final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Ace Of Spies (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
Boy The Bell 7-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on well, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Cape of Storms (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Dec.
Errigal Lad 12-1 (9-5) Dwelt, hampered over 3f out, in rear, never near leaders, 9th of 13, 8l behind Fashion Icon (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-58 (6) fbs in Nov.
Sir Louis 9-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, no impression, 4th of 7, 11l behind Olympic Dream (8-9) at Southwell 7f stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Dec.
Memphis Man 8-1 (8-8) Taken to post early, dwelt in rear, outpaced over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 7, 4l behind Chjimes (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
