pushed along early, held up, headway 3f out, went second 2f out, led well inside furlong, pushed out
prominent, went second well over 3f out until 2f out, soon beaten
chased leader until well over 3f out, soon weakened
always behind
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
led, clear 2f out, soon ridden, edged right and headed well inside final furlong, no extra
Alonso De Guzman looks high enough in the weights now and so the nod goes to Prince Charlemagne who shaped as if a return to the winners enclosure would not be too far away last time out. Karl Burke's gelding has a good strike-rate and only beaten a length last time out at Lingfield, he looks ready to strike. He has been left alone by the handicapper for that effort and on a winning mark, this (admittedly) not straightforward gelding can score. If he doesn't get the good pace that he needs then it could be the consistent Moment Of Clarity who can return to winning ways, although he may prove to be high enough in the weights now. The same comment could apply to Alonso De Guzman judged by his more recent runs, so a bigger danger could be whoever front runs, although there doesn't appear to be one outstanding candidate for that role. Given A Choice has claims on the pick of his runs, however it is Prince Charlemagne who can lead them home.
Given A Choice (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Held up in rear, not clear run and switched 2f out, driven and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Rebellious Spirit (9-1) at Kempton 1m clm (6) pol in Nov.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on well, 6th of 9, 1l behind dhtrs Mutamaasek (8-8) & Kindlelight Blue (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Desert Leader (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 6f out, weakened 4f out, last of 8, 33l behind Bank On Benny (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Moment of Clarity 11-4 (8-12) Mid-division, headway to lead over 2f out, soon clear, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Alfie Tupper (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Kings Confession (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden entering final furlong, no impression when clear run soon after, 9th of 13, 11l behind Imply (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in May.
Alonso de Guzman (IRE) 3-1fav (8-6) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon edged right, kept on towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Gamesters Lady (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
