in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders
soon well behind, tailed off final 6f
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started very slowly, always behind
in touch, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed just over 1f out, soon beaten, lost 2nd last strides
prominent, weakened over 3f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 3f out, led on bit just over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, easily
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
pressed leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, took 2nd last strides, no chance with winner
behind, edged left 1f out, never dangerous
RANDAMA BAY can build on his win at a big price last time out and defy a penalty to land the opener with Mustajed and Strike force also worth considering. The selection rubbished odds of 20-1 to win with plenty in hand at Kempton last time and break his maiden after some solid efforts before that. This is a clever piece of placing from trainer Ian Wood with the jockey claiming seven pounds negating his six pound penalty for that win. So in reality he is off the same mark and slightly better off. Mustajed steps back in trip to try and rediscover some winning form. He hasn't got his head in front since August 2007, which was on this surface at Kempton over one mile three furlongs, but recently has put in some solid efforts. The latest effort brought about an average performance to land fifth place of eight but with a number from that race going on to perform well the form isn't bad and he is now off a mark four pounds lower than his last victory. Strike Force won back to back races over course and distance back in September. Despite rated just three pounds higher than the last of those victories he has struggled in similar events to this in his last few outings. It could be said they have come over inadequate trips and he's back to a really competitive mark now. New Star has the talent but not the recent form while Hucking Heat was disappointing last time but has a claim on previous efforts but the vote goes to Randama Bay.
New Star (UAE) 20-1 (8-7) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon in rear, last of 12, 33l behind dhtrs Nanton (8-7) & Suits Me (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Nostradamus (USA) 40-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 32l behind Dorothy's Friend (8-9) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (B) gd in Aug '04.
Randama Bay (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Made virtually all, in command final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Moonlight Man (9-6) by 3l, 12 ran.
Mustajed 8-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 8l behind Garrulous (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Morbick 11-4fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, no extra, 7th of 12, 4l behind Princely Hero (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Laish Ya Hajar (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Made all, clear 6f out, saddled started to slip 3f out, ridden 2f out, hung left final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gf in Jul beating Bavarica (10-13) by 2l, 11 ran.
Monfils Monfils (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Led 1f, chased leader after, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 20l behind Turban Heights (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Hucking Heat (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 9l behind Stand Guard (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Barodine 66-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 21l behind Moves Goodenough (9-2) at Bath 1m app hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Jord (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 31l behind Alexander Huricane (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
My Mirasol 9-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Strike Force (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Strike Force 16-1 (10-11) Pulled hard in rear, headway on outer from over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 7l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Home 25-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened when hampered over 1f out, 10th of 16, 14l behind Epsom Salts (10-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
