chased clear leaders, ridden 1f out, switched right and headway inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
always towards rear
behind, ridden and effort over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never dangerous
chased leader, ridden along over 1f out, hard ridden and headway on inside to lead well inside final furlong
held up mid-division, effort on inside 2f out, ridden 1f out, ran on to be nearest finish
soon led, ridden over 1f out, hung left when weakening and headed inside final furlong
soon behind and pushed along
always towards rear
switched left quickly after start to chase leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened just inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along over 2f out, weakened just inside final furlong
An open contest here with Almaty Express, Edged In Gold, Times Review, El Potro and Sir Sandrovitch all with claims and we will side with Almaty Express. The selection sprung a bit of a surprise when winning over course and distance last time out and a 3lb rise may not stop him from a good draw. He has to produce a lifetime best to score, but with things in his favour he may just about be good enough. Edged In Gold returns to action after a three month break and won over c&d off a 5lb lower mark in July. However she has not won after a break yet, so she is passed over. Times Review acts at this trip and on fast ground on turf. He is dropping to a more realistic mark now and may get involved in the closing stages. Of the others, El Potro is 2lb higher than when defeating Clipper Hoy at Southwell last time and is well drawn here so is not without a chance, while Sir Sandrovitch is probably just a shade too high in the weights to be capable of winning. But Almaty Express has ticks in the right boxes and is a tentative choice.
Almaty Express 22-1 (9-1) Led over 3f out, clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, just held on, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov beating Majestical (9-3) by a nk, 13 ran.
Edged In Gold 66-1 (8-3) Always behind stands' side, 16th of 19, 5l behind Attorney (8-9) at Goodwood 5f app hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Times Review (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, wide into straight, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Shade Cozy (9-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
El Potro 7-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 5f mdn stk (5) fbs in Nov beating Clipper Hoy (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sir Sandrovitch (IRE) 9-2 (8-3) Mid-division, soon pushed along, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Tag Team (9-3) at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs.
Coconut Moon 28-1 (8-9) With leader, led halfway, pushed out, won at W'hampton 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov beating Silent Spring (8-9) by 3l, 13 ran.
Cloann (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Almaty Express (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Henry Tun 11-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed last strides, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Mambazo (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol.
