held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway when not much room over 2f out, soon switched right, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, one pace
held up mid-division on outer, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leader, led over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, eased entering final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, tailed off final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out
in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on
dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, one pace
Plenty of the usual suspects and BUSCADOR gets our vote with Ahlawy and Golden Bishop others that are likely to have their supporters. Mark Brisbourne's charge would have needed his first run back for nine months but he shaped well for a long way and over a trip that he excels over, we are prepared to stick by him today. Ahlawy joins a new trainer having previously campaigned for Mick Easterby. A first time tongue tie looks intriguing. Golden Bishop has never quite delivered when its been most expected. He is unlikely to get a soft lead that he appears best off. Blue Sky Thinking has one of the top BHA ratings. He was never at the races last week and now has something to prove. Alf Tupper and Climate are previous course and distance scorers so need to be respected accordingly. Piermani was once with Mark Johnston but is yet to sparkle for new connections. Barodine once had form for Henry Cecil but those days seem very long ago. Plenty here with problems as well as positives but we'll side with a track specialist in Buscador.
Alf Tupper 7-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Mr Chocolate Drop (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Climate (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Raced in 4th, went 3rd over 6f out, driven along and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Bridgewater Boys (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Ahlawy (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 2l behind King Fingal (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Ardent Prince 16-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, soon with leader, led over 5f out, clear 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Mr Chocolate Drop (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Barodine 33-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 13, 15l behind Hucking Heat (10-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Blue Sky Thinking (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Towards rear, soon ridden along, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 45l behind Transmission (9-5) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs.
Buscador (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Broke sharply, led until over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 39l behind Heathyards Pride (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Zach's Harmoney (USA) 33-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon driven and well behind, last of 14, well behind Rub of The Relic (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Dec.
Golden Bishop 5-2fav (9-4) Led, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Don Pietro (9-8) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Piermarini 14-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 28l behind Eureka Moment (8-12) at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) fbs in Dec.
Ten Pole Tudor 18-1 (9-3) Steadied start, held up in rear, sudden late headway final 2f but never dangerous, 7th of 12, 9l behind Singleb (9-9) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Ten Spot (IRE) 100-1 (8-2) In touch, raced keenly, not much room over 2f out, soon dropped out, 8th of 11, 34l behind Heathyards Pride (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Wusuul 33-1 (8-8) Always behind, 9th of 13, 12l behind Jawaab (9-1) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept.
