always in rear
tracked winner until over 2f out, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
made virtually all, ridden over 2f out, joined well over 1f out, stayed on gamely towards finish
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
pulled hard in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong
keen, in touch, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, reminders 6f out, ridden over 4f out, driven and lost place from over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven and ran on well towards finish
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, chased winner from over 2f out, joined winner over 1f out, every chance till just held near finish
A very decent mile and a quarter handicap this, and we'll put up NOVIKOV as the selection, ahead of Kingdom of Fife and Dark Prospect. Plenty here have chances, and almost all have won over course and or distance. The pick steps up a grade after winning a Sandown handicap. He was top weight that day and made all, and another front running effort is expected here. Kingdom of Fife has plenty of weight in hand as he chases a hat-trick. Being gelded seems to have worked wonders with two lower grade handicap successes. Don't be put off if he swishes his tail, as it's something he seems to do, but not to show reluctance. He's owned by The Queen, who I'm sure would love to be presented with The Golden Jubilee trophy for winning it. Dark Prospect. was gelded too before his last run, and he won that competitive handicap on his all-weather debut. Doubts about his stamina were disproved that day, and he should be involved. This could be a lively betting heat, but with apologies to Her Majesty, we'll side with Novikov.
Polish Power (GER) 20-1 (10-0) Prominent, soon pushed along, under pressure over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 14, 27l behind Muhannak (9-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Aug.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden clear approaching final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating King's Event (8-13) by 2l, 13 ran.
Novikov 10-1 (9-9) Made most, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on gamely under pressure, headed narrowly inside final furlong, rallied to lead again final stride, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug beating Slip (9-5) by a hd, 9 ran.
Kayak (SAF) 16-1 (9-6) Started slowly, soon mid-division, ridden 2f out, no headway, 9th of 13, 9l behind Bahar Shumaal (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Points of View 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 13, 7l behind Crackentorp (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) pol.
Qui Moi (CAN) 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead just over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 10l behind Ascot Lime (8-11) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Premier Danseur (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Soon led, headed after 2f, chased leader until driven 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Grand Vizier (9-2) at Kempton 1m app hcp (4) pol.
Kingdom of Fife 7-2 (9-7) Behind, steady headway from 2f out, led 1f out, ridden out and held on well, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Fitzroy Crossing (9-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) In rear, headway over 3f out, driven 2f out, stayed on well to lead line, won at Sandown 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gd in Aug beating Wee Charlie Castle (11-4) by a ns, 12 ran.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and headed line, 2nd of 12, shd behind Dragon Slayer (11-5) at Sandown 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gd in Aug.
Dark Prospect 9-2 (8-13) Tracked leader, led inside final 2f, driven and stayed on well final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Title Role (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
