keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish
close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, not trouble leaders
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never a factor
in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
broke smartly, tracked leader, shaken up to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, comfortable
led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
dwelt, keen in rear, never on terms
raced wide, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
Nonrunner
This is easily the most competitive contest on the card. Afjaan didn't reward market support at Kempton last week but still looks the pick of the three year olds ahead of Musselburgh winner Shootingsta and Red Tycoon. The latter hasn't really sparkled on the all weather so far but ROUGE NUAGE has taken to this surface like a duck to water. The Conrad Allen gelding only had to be pushed out to score over course and distance last time, when Logans Lad was third and Regal Parade unplaced, and a 4lb rise is not excessive. Kingscroft, Nezar and Jan Van Hoof are also worth considering.
Jan Van Hoof (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Popeswood (8-12) at Newmarket 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Red Tycoon (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, joined winner inside final furlong, not quicken close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Cadeaux Power (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Ogbourne Downs 16-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, never in contention, 14th of 18, 9 1/2l behind Cricklewood Green (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Nezar (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 17, 2 1/4l behind Whozthecat (9-2) at Nottingham 6f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Kingscroft (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Raced centre, chased leaders, every chance when hung right over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 22, 7 3/4l behind Westwood Hoe (9-3) at Doncaster 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Regal Parade 16-1 (9-7) In touch in 4th, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 10th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Rouge Nuage (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Afjaan (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) Raced wide in touch, headway to track leaders over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, edged left and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Second Wave (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Shootingsta (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp (4) gf in Sep beating Fullon Clarets (9-7) by hd, 9 ran.
Burning Blaze 20-1 (9-3) Dwelt, midfield, headway approaching final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Clubland (9-2) at Chester 6f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Bouclier (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Took keen hold towards rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Elis Eliz (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Logans Lad (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Rouge Nuage (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Rouge Nuage (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, led 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, just held on gamely, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov beating Foreign Diplomat (9-2) by hd, 11 ran.
