always prominent, led just inside final furlong, soon ridden, ran on well
held up, some headway final furlong, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
took keen hold in mid division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, stayed on
led, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged left and kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
slowly into stride, chased leaders, driven over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard, with leader, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, never a factor
held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, never near to challenge
Nonrunner
Khanjar, Nimello and Desert Leader are the three for the shortlist here and Khanjar can maintain his progression to take this. Twice a winner at Wolverhampton this year, the nine year old Nimello was a good second at Southwell last time and it would be no surprise if he was good enough to win this. Desert Leader has won and been placed on his last three starts at the track and despite climbing up the weights has a leading chance here. He is consistent and must be respected. Khanjar has a win to runs ratio of one in twenty six but he has shaped well on his last two starts, including a fine second here last time. He has a fine opportunity to double his winning tally here and Khanjar gets the vote.
Desert Leader (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway on inside 3f out, led 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Khanjar (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Nimello (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Elrafa Mujahid (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Nov.
Scottish River (USA) 14-1 (8-7) Steadied start, pulled hard, headway to go prominent over 8f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 7l behind Stargazer Jim (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Khanjar (USA) 7-2fav (9-4) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Desert Leader (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
El Chaparral (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Slowly into stride, keen hold and soon prominent, ridden on wide outside 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Prime Powered (10-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
High Arctic 5-1co-fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, kept on, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bazelle (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Midshipman 8-1 (8-12) Held up, slipped bend halfway, never dangerous afterwards, 14th of 16, 15l behind Habanero (10-0) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Karaoke (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Wise Owl (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
