chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd near finish
in rear ridden 4f out, never a factor
slowly into stride, always in rear
raced wide in touch, headway to chase leader 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, plugged on final furlong
reluctant to leave stalls, behind, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Jamie Osbourne's ARMY OF STARS has looked progressive in four starts and after a taking victory on handicap debut last time is given the nod to follow up at the expense of Blue Noodles and Elusive Warrior. With clear progression in every start to date there's no reason to suggest that won't continue here. He acts on this surface and looked capable of overcoming a penalty during that last run so with progress expected he has to get the call. Blue Noodles is consistent and followed back to back victories with finding just the one too good when a pound better off last time. He looks booked to give his running again but his only start on the Fibresand leaves plenty of doubts. Elusive Warrior might be value for each-way punters. A course and distance specialist he wonform a pound lighter in January so must have every chance at grabbing some minor money. Kladester is another for each-way punters to consider off his current rating while Flores Sea likes it here and should also go well. Plenty of these are proven but we do with the potential angle here and Army Of Stars.
Army of Stars (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Broke well from wide draw, with leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, asserted near finish, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Dhhamaan (8-5) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 13-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden before halfway, never on terms, 5th of 7, 12l behind Jonnie Skull (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Fadhb Ar Bith (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Dwelt and always behind, 11th of 12, 21l behind Shayrazan (9-7) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcap gd in Aug '08.
Blue Noodles 9-2fav (8-10) Sweating, soon led, stayed in centre in straight, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final 1f and no extra, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Rondeau (9-1) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Running Flame (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Towards rear, never a factor, 8th of 13, 14l behind Tangerine Trees (9-3) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Flores Sea (USA) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Young Gladiator (IRE) 5-1fav (9-2) Led until well over 2f out, remained handy until no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Kladester (USA) 9-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Dajen (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Illicit 14-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 8th of 12, 30l behind Golden Prospect (9-3) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Led, strong pace, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Scruffy Skip (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp (0-55) (6) fbs.
Owed 40-1 (8-1) Outpaced in rear, headway over2f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 4th of 11, 5l behind Scruffy Skip (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp (0-55) (6) fbs.
