towards rear, not troubled leaders
dwelt in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on near finish, not troubled leaders
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
dwelt mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on final furlong
led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
keen close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
broke gate, settled in rear, wide into straight 2f out, headway when hung left 1f out, ridden to challenge winner inside final furlong, not quicken
in rear, not troubled leaders
led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
The last four divisions of this race have gone to the favourite so the market should be watched with interest, especially with regard to Wolverhampton winner Aviso who may be capable of defying a small rise in the weights. On this occasion however HALSION CHANCER is marginally preferred. John Best's charge travelled supremely before tiring over a mile and a quarter last time and in finishing third suggested he'd be winning again when dropped in trip, which he is here. The horse is well handicapped on his best and is taken to beat El Dececy, himself well enough treated but zero-from-eight on the all-weather. For all his consistency Fantasy Gladiator hasn't won beyond six furlongs so of more interest is triple course winner Prince Of Thebes, who placed in a slightly more competitive race at Kempton last time and will relish a return to this track.
Salient 20-1 (8-10) In touch, lost place over 2f out, 9th of 16, 9l behind Sarah Park (9-2) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Dear Maurice 4-1fav (9-7) Tracked leaders on inner, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Hatta Stream (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Halsion Chancer 6-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Kiss A Prince (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Mid division, headway on wide outside 3f out, slightly outpaced 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd final 100 yards, not pace of leading duo, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Mustakmil (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
El Dececy (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Led 2f, settled in 3rd soon after, led on inside over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Elusive Warrior (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Oct.
Amber Sunset 14-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind Whispering Spirit (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f fll hcp (0-75) (3yo+) (5) pol in Oct.
Lastkingofscotland (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Towrad rear, pushed along 3f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 7l behind Noguchi (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Fantasy Gladiator 5-1 (8-9) Dwelt, held up towards rear and keen, headway well over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Primaeval (9-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Rondeau (GR) 12-1 (9-5) Dwelt, took keen hold held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not able to reach leaders, 5th of 13, 4l behind Hellbender (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Bianca De Medici 5-2fav (9-6) Chased leaders, every chance on inside entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, eased close home, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Requisite (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Buxton 16-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 1/2l behind The Happy Hammer (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Aviso (GER) 3-1fav (9-4) Close up and keen, challenged over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct beating Slikback Jack (9-3) by nk, 10 ran.
