Most of the three-year-olds step up trip for this and Willkommen has been raised 9lb for winning easily over 1m4f here back in May. Minnelli has the more recent winning form with a victory at Yarmouth in September while the unexposed Star Of Athena was placed at Brighton in August but END OVER END has even more scope. The latter gets closer with every outing and, having finished third in novice company at Kempton a fortnight ago, further improvement is expected now handicapping for the first time. Ebqaa is back on a winning mark and may prove best of the older horses.
Ebqaa (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on inside over 1f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, never a threat, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Fannie By Gaslight (9-3) at Chester 1m 2f hcp fll (4) sft in Sep.
Sea Sovereign (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Towards rear and struggling 4f out, never a factor, 9th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Philonikia (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Joycetick (FR) 14-1 (10-5) In touch, dropped to rear 4 out, outpaced next, ridden and headway to chase leading pair approaching last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 10 1/4l behind Skeaping (10-11) at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
End Over End 4-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, led, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Capla Crusader (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Willkommen 5-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division on outside, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, wide into straight, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, kept on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in May beating Junior Rip (9-6) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Star Of Athena 18-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders when not much room inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression with winner, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Esspeegee (9-1) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Minnelli 12-1 (9-6) Held up behind, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong, joined leader near finish, led post, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (6) gd in Sep beating Sea Of Mystery (9-12) by shd, 15 ran.
Bambys Boy 9-1 (9-4) Steadied start, pulled hard in mid-division, switched right off inside after 4f, tracked leader soon after, led 10f out until ridden and headed 3f out, chased leader until over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Cochise (9-1) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Uncle Bernie (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Awkward start, behind, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Percy Prosecco (11-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Last Chance Paddy (USA) 14-1 (10-0) Chased leader and clear of rest until 3rd, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 8, 28l behind Don Juan Du Gouet (12-3) at Stratford 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Tingo In The Tale (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) With leader to 6th, weakened quickly 3 out, 10th of 14, 25 1/2l behind Hen (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Brinkleys Katie 100-1 (8-6) Held up, never nearer, 8th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Casa Comigo (10-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
