held up, headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led until over 5f out, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader and keen, led over 5f out, ridden and headed final furlong, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to lead post
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, kept on, no impression
mid-division, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
in touch, ridden well over 1f out, led near finish, caught post
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed near finish, no extra
Imperium can make consistency pay, with Cool Sands, Mozakhraf and Chalentina seen as the ones to give him most to do. Imperium has not been out of the first three in any of his last seven outings, and although mostly campaigned over shorter, there will be no problem with the step back up to today's trip judged on a sterling effort over the distance at Lingfield in November. Cool Sands is another for whom the trip may be a key factor, as he ran out of steam when tried over a mile last time, while Mozakhraf's only victory came on the Fibresand, but he has definite place claims on past form. Chalentina has plenty of weight and is just a bit high in the handicap at present, and a bigger danger may well be Redwood Rocks who drops back down to his winning grade. In addition he has his regular rider Mark Lawson on board, so has more going for him than most. Imperium has stronger claims though, and is the pick.
Chalentina 7-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 5, 6l behind The City Kid (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo clm (6) pol in Dec.
Redwood Rocks (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on, never nearer, 7th of 13, 8l behind La Colline (8-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Mozakhraf (USA) 5-1 (8-8) In touch and keen, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Dichoh (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Scuba (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 7l behind Plateau (8-13) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (6) pol in Dec.
Kingsmaite 8-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 8, 8l behind Magical Music (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Dec.
Out For A Stroll 20-1 (8-11) Held up and keen, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 6l behind Dart Along (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 14-1 (7-13) Never a factor, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Writ (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Imperium 11-4jt-fav (9-2) Prominent, ridden to dispute lead inside final furlong, every chance, not quite pace of winner near finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Siraj (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
