disputed lead early, prominent, led inside first 2f, headed after 3f, pushed along early straight, soon switched left to rail, led again from 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra
slowly into stride, towards rear, some headway on outer but under pressure 2f out, no impression 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, a little keen, challenged and every chance from 1 1/2f out, kept on well without matching 1st 2
dwelt, towards rear, switched left from early straight, 7th 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
mid-division, pushed along into straight and soon not much room, ridden towards outer 2f out, no impression 1f out, one pace
towards rear, switched left from over 2f out and progress, led 1f out, stayed on well, headed on line
chased leaders, a little keen, ridden towards outer 2f out, no impression 1f out, one pace
pushed along to soon lead, headed inside first 2f, prominent, slightly impeded under 2f out, 6th 1f out, no extra
towards rear, detached in last before halfway, soon pushed along, some headway but no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, a little keen, challenged and every chance 1 1/2f out, no impression and kept on same pace inside final furlong
very slowly away and pushed along in detached last, soon in touch with field, improved on outer after 2f, led after 3f, pushed along into straight, headed from 2f out and edged left, weakened, eased inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along straight, no impression from 2f out, no extra from over 1f out
Dove Mountain was sent to Wolverhampton to land a handicap last time and he's shot up the weights as a consequence. Gordon Elliott has a 10lb claimer on board though she's very inexperienced and this looks a tough race. Excelli dropped down to this trip for the first time in two years here last month and did well to beat Twistsandturns, though a 10lb rise looks harsh. Chatterton, who finished behind in that latter event, came out and scored a couple of weeks ago, when Nedera was behind, giving the form a solid look. MANOROV (NAP) has only won once in 19 starts which is a poor return as he has some smart form at this level including when narrowly beaten by Chatterton here in May when conceding 5lb. He's been finding 1m2f just beyond him in recent runs so he's given the nod to double his winning tally.
Canon Law (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Settle For Red (9-1) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Maskoon 4-1fav (8-13) Pushed along from stalls and soon tracked leader in 2nd, ridden from 2f out, no impression and dropped to 5th 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind Long Journey Home (9-2) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct.
Rose Angel (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Slowly away, towards rear, no impression from 3f out, never a factor, 11th of 17, 8 1/4l behind Daliyan (9-9) at Gowran Park 1m 1f hcp gd in Sep.
Excelli (IRE) 5-1fav (9-6) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge from 2f out and soon disputed, kept on best to lead inside final furlong and asserted near finish, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Oct beating Twistsandturns (9-13) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Dove Mountain (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway to lead over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Thermal Column (9-3) by 3l, 9 ran.
Chatterton (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Chased leaders, progress to challenge 1f out, led and stayed on best inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov beating Red Words (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Manorov 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, closed travelling smoothly straight, pushed along over 1 1/2f out, challenged from 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Solar Benny (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Mayakoba (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders and took keen hold, ridden in 3rd 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Crown Pleasure (9-10) at Wexford 1m 3f hcp Yielding in Aug.
Nedera 5-1 (9-3) Prominent early, slightly impeded and soon settled toward rear, progress to challenge under 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Chatterton (9-7) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
Universal Mind (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, no impression from 2f out, never a factor, 10th of 13, 6 1/2l behind Six Silver Lane (10-0) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Apr.
Athloman Cottage (IRE) 17-2 (8-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, progress travelling smoothly straight, switched right from 2f out, 7th under 1f out and one pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Solar Benny (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov.
Dutch Party 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, some late progress final furlong, 7th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Captain Midnight (9-6) at Dundalk 7f hcp pol in Nov.
Walled Garden (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Soon led, pressed from before straight, soon joined, headed over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Chatterton (9-7) at Dundalk 1m hcp pol in Nov.
