started very slowly, held up in rear, some late minor headway, never involved
raced keenly, soon steadied in mid-division on inside, pushed along over 3f out, weakened inside final 3f
off the pace and always towards rear
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2f, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd
led 1f, soon steadied mid-division headway tracking leaders going well over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, ridden and hung left over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish
always behind
chased leader out wide, led after 2f, pushed along and headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened quickly inside final 3f, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden and no impression in 4th over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in mid=division, pushed along over 3f out, headway out wide chasing leaders over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish
steadied start, raced keenly towards rear, some late minor headway over 1f out, went remote 4th inside final furlong
PRINCE ABU has been thereabouts over 1m6f lately and the return to this longer trip could see him get his head back in front. The Craftymaster went close over course and distance in October and should figure again while Steel Helmet pops up at this level when the mood takes him. Kemerton has slipped down the handicap and is not out of this if lasting home.
Prince Abu (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Steadied start, held up and behind, headway from over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Mini Mildred (8-12) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Kemerton (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, effort entering final furlong, stayed on one pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Optician (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Steel Helmet (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway when not clear run over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Mini Mildred (8-12) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Young Endless 14-1 (9-1) Held up in last pair, never a factor, last of 7, 25 3/4l behind Donald Llewellyn (9-9) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in May.
Baileys Warrior 33-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Blue Hawaii (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Decoration Of War (IRE) 200-1 (9-3) Prominent, weakened quickly from over 2f out, last of 12, 23l behind Blue Hawaii (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Bateau Bay (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Dwelt in rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 3l behind Eagle's Realm (10-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Sugar Candie 16-1 (9-0) Towards rear, outpaced from 3f out, ridden 2f out, headway to take modest sixth inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 13 1/4l behind Fair Dinkum (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
The Craftymaster 17-2 (9-2) Held up rear of mid-division, ridden and headway from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd last stride, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Blue Hawaii (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
New York Bay (IRE) 200-1 (9-4) Always in rear, ridden over 4f out, tailed off over 3f out, 6th of 9, dist behind Hidden Story (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Jun.
