held up, pushed along when outpaced halfway, driven 2f out, one pace final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
steadied at start, held up in rear, ridden along over 3f out, some late headway, never reached challenging position
held up behind leaders, headway on inner to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, not much room, switched right inside final furlong, ran on towards finish
held up, headway 3f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Safebreaker is given the verdict here ahead of Penchesco and Artistic Light. Nigel Tinkler's charge has put in three solid efforts to date, including a head second to Loyal Knight over course and distance last time out. He appears to be on the upgrade and should take a great deal of beating. Penchesco has contested three stronger races than this and hasn't done too badly. He hails from a yard that do well with their all-weather runners and so he has to be respected. The Gatekeeper and Artistic Light have similar claims having both found one too good last time out. Meanwhile Great Charm improved on his debut effort and hails from a top yard. So it is no good thing here, but Safebreaker has the more solid form credentials and he is the choice.
Chesterton (IRE) Namid colt, half-brother to numerous winners on the Flat and over jumps.
Gaitskell 20-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Formation (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol.
Great Charm (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on approaching final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind First Avenue (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Penchesco (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Storm Force (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Safebreaker 2-1 (9-3) Led 1f, chased winner, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Loyal Knight (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Oct.
The Gatekeeper 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear far side, headway over 2f out, led group over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Almoutaz (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd.
Transcendent (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Mid-division, weakened 3f out, 5th of 7, 23l behind Bermacha (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Oct.
Artistic Light 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Romantic Verse (8-12) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol.
