tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on, one pace final furlong
reared start and slowly away, always behind
made all, ridden clear final furlong
towards rear, never near leaders
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, pushed along and soon joined winner until 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
awkward leaving stalls, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on, one pace
always in rear
pushed along in mid-division, ridden and switched left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never a threat
Recent winners La Capriosa, Sloop Johnb and Grudge have been taking it in turns to beat each other lately. It's difficult to predict who will come out best of that trio today but whoever does has SILAAH to beat. The latter got into a fight for the lead in a better race over C&D a week ago and not surprisingly faded close home to eventually finish third behind Love Delta. Adrian Nicholls takes over the reins here and ridden with a bit more restraint the six-year-old can take this. Equuleus Pictor and Colorus have something to find with a couple of today's opponents judged on their recent form.
Silaah 7-1 (8-10) Led, hung badly left from halfway, headed just inside final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Love Delta (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Tourist 11-1 (8-12) In touch in mid-division, losing place when not much room over 1f out, 10th of 12, 6l behind Piscean (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 6, hd behind Methaaly (8-4) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) In rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway under pressure 1f out, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Perfect Act (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
La Capriosa 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 9, 10l behind Desert Strike (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Equuleus Pictor 7-1 (9-7) Dwelt mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, kept to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 13, 1l behind La Capriosa (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Grudge 3-1fav (9-3) Hood removed slightly late, soon chased leader, led over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Sloop Johnb (9-4) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sloop Johnb 3-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, edged left, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Grudge (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Galpin Junior (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Colorus (IRE) 7-2fav (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 2 1/4l behind La Capriosa (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
