held up towards rear, headway between horses inside final 2f, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, never any chance with easy winner
held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
switched right start, held up towards rear, headway inside final 2f, not clear run briefly over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
mid-division, ridden along over 2f out, soon beaten
led and set strong pace, soon clear, reduced lead and pressed 2f out, soon ridden and headed and weakened quickly inside final furlong
held up in mid-division, smooth headway travelling well on inside over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ran on strongly, ridden out final furlong easily
slow into stride, pulled hard, chased clear leader 6f out until weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, went second over 2f out until 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, no real progress final 2f
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
The trio for the shortlist are IMPRIMIS TAGULA, Seek The Fair Land and Sunshine Always with the vote given to the first mentioned. Imprimis Tagula defied a career-high mark to score at Lingfield last week and in his current rich vein of form it should pay to stick with him. He has a fair draw and he should make a bold bid to defy another 6lbs penalty. Seek The Fair Land won over this course and distance back in April and he also got his head in front earlier this month when he beat Rondeau at Lingfield. He has more on his plate here but both his previous wins came in consecutive races so he is certainly one to give serious consideration to. Sunshine Always has run some sound races here in the past but off his current mark others make more appeal. Perfect Act missed the break here last month so that disappointing run can be forgiven, and we will return to Imprimis Tagula as the pick.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 9-2fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Billy Red (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Sunshine Always (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, raced keenly, lost place over 4f out, close under pressure over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Big Bay (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Hustle (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led after 1f and set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 4l behind Tiddliwinks (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Nora Mae (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 9l behind Big Bay (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Avertis 16-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 8l behind Mr Willis (9-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Seek The Fair Land 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and joined inside final furlong, driven and found extra towards finish, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Rondeau (9-0) by hd, 11 ran.
Final Salute 12-1 (9-3) Behind, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 14l behind Lovely Thought (9-4) at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Perfect Act 7-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up, hung right over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 3l behind Earlsmedic (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
I Confess 9-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Seek The Fair Land (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Grey Boy (GER) 25-1 (8-1) Dwelt, headway on inside to mid-division after 2f, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Mr Willis (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Resplendent Nova 16-1 (8-9) Behind and outpaced, kept on final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Black Dahlia (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Shaded Edge 15-2 (8-12) In rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 9th of 11, 17l behind Seek The Fair Land (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.