stumbled leaving stalls, soon pushed along towards rear, ridden from halfway, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, never reached winner
awkward leaving stalls and squeezed out, in rear, ridden halfway, never a factor
slowly into stride, headway to mid-division over 4f out, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 2f out, driven inside final furlong, held on well
close up, ridden over 2f out, driven to chase winner entering final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
raced wide close up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, chased winner halfway until entering final furlong, driven and kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
soon pushed along in rear, never a factor
The 90-rated CONFUCHIAS gets the nod here ahead of Total Impact and Cape Of Storms. The selection has been in consistent form of late in some competitive handicaps. His fourth here last time suggests that this surface holds no fears and he really should take this race. Secret Witness drops in trip and this 76-rated son of Pivotal shaped with more promise last time out, Cornus drops in grade and with the front-running Jord gives Jeremy Glover a solid chance of prize money, whilst Imperial House is fairly consistent if somewhat limited. Ponting runs this track well so enters calculations, as does Cape Of Storms after his absence. Total Impact is the second-highest-rated in the race and cannot be overlooked. He disappointed at odds-on last time out at Kempton, and may be slightly better over five furlongs, however he is hard to leave out of the equation. A quality claiming race, where the vote goes to Confuchias.
Confuchias (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Disputed lead till 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Felday (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs.
Secret Witness 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Benandonner (9-0) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol.
Cornus 9-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 7l behind Tourist (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Ponting (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) With leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 11l behind Leading Edge (9-1) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Total Impact 10-11fav (9-3) Chased leaders, improved 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Misaro (9-7) at Kempton 6f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Cape of Storms 6-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and hung right 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 6l behind Compton Classic (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Mandhooma 20-1 (8-13) Led 1f, tracked leaders after, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Welcome Approach (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Nov.
Tag Team (IRE) 22-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Diamond Blade (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Jord (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Tracked leader, faded final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Sir George (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f sell stks (6) pol in Nov.
Kannon 40-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden over 4f out and reminders, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 12, 48l behind Park's Prodigy (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Imperial House 12-1 (9-6) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, no extra, 6th of 12, 4l behind Bentley (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f sell stks (6) pol.
Miss Pusey Street 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Kingsgate Castle (9-0) at Kempton 6f stks 0-55 (6) pol.
