chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, never nearer
held up in touch, headway halfway, ridden, every chance over 1f out, always held
chased leaders, headway to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, soon one pace
held up in touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened
always behind
SILVANUS is the form pick to land the opener at the expense of Bookiesindex and Woodcote. The selection has been a model of consistency in his nine outings to date breaking his maiden tag at Kempton back in July in the process. Since then he has run well in defeat on the all weather and was not beaten far when second to Dvinsky at Wolverhampton last time out. He sets the standard in this race and if he can recapture his best form he will prove difficult to beat. Bookiesindex made all to land a handicap at Kempton last month but then disappointed off a four pound higher mark thereafter. He can prove to be a little inconsistent in his races and although he possesses the ability to win races he has to be treated with a bit of caution. Woodcote has been slipping down the weights since the summer and has to be respected off his current mark. That said he does have to give weight all round which will make life tough for him. So for the winner we return to Silvanus.
Woodcote (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 3l behind Mutamared (9-0) at Lingfield 6f clm (6) pol in Dec.
Bookiesindex Boy 8-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, faded, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Thoughtsofstardom (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Caribbean Coral 50-1 (8-11) Held up, always in rear, 10th of 12, 4l behind Bookiesindex Boy (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Silvanus (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Held up in last, raced keenly, headway inside final furlong, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, nk behind Dvinsky (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Godfrey Street 15-2 (9-7) Jumped right at start, and was soon chasing leaders, effort 2f out, soon weakened and pulled up in race won by She's Our Beauty (8-2) at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs in Dec, 14 ran.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 7-2fav (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to lead halfway, headed 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 6l behind Charles Parnell (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Dec.
Jane's Payoff (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Pulled hard in touch, chased leader 4f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 9, 4 1/2l behind Leading Edge (8-10) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Desert Opal 14-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, outpaced, last of 9, 7l behind Thoughtsofstardom (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.