slowly into stride, behind, some late headway, never nearer
led until halfway, led again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner
slowly into stride, prominent after 2f, led halfway, headed over 1f out, faded
tracked leaders, bumped soon after start, weakened well over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
soon ridden to be prominent, bumped inside 1st furlong, short of room and lost place before halfway, switched right over 2f out, headway under pressure on wide outside over 1f out, ran on
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, faded final furlong
Plenty in with a chance in a competitive opener. Mishrif and Satwa Laird have claims on their best form, but haven't raced since October and Al Aqabah makes more appeal as she's only 2lb higher than her most recent victory. Ezra Church and City Legend have both been successful in plating company recently and could figure, though Wigram's Turn has been raised 6lb for last month's cosy win at Wolverhampton. LASTKINGOFSCOTLAND hit top form at this time last year when winning today's contest off a 7lb higher mark under Hayley Turner. A repeat looks on the cards and he gets the vote.
Mishrif (USA) 16-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 12, 5l behind Gritstone (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Satwa Laird 9-1 (8-10) Held up, headway between horses over 1f out, ridden and no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Nazreef (9-1) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Choral 4-1fav (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 10l behind Epernay (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Al Aqabah (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 6th of 13, 3l behind Rivas Rhapsody (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Ezra Church (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Set steady pace until quickened over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Bawaardi (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Scottish Glen 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, weakened last 100 yards, 7th of 13, 6l behind Rivas Rhapsody (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
City Legend 15-2 (8-9) With leader, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Marajaa (8-13) at Kempton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Wigram's Turn (USA) 11-2 (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway from 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec beating Dashing Eddie (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Lastkingofscotland (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, no impression when not much room over 1f out, 10th of 14, 4l behind Tourist (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Ivory Silk 11-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, some late headway, never nearer, 9th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Hatta Stream (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.