always prominent, led 2f out, ridden and ran on
led, headed halfway, tracked leader until 5f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
in rear, headway entering final 2f, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong
raced wide close up, ridden 4f out, weakening when short of room over 2f out
held up, wide and headway 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
keen tracked leader, led halfway, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
always prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
The remaining races take place on the Polytrack course which will suit ALMOST GEMINI. He's won all three starts on the surface this year and, given he only does just enough to get his head in front, Don Cantillon's charge may well defy a further 3lb rise. Star Alliance scored at Kempton last month but this is tougher while Story Writer was beaten in a maiden here last time and Squad remains 11lb higher than last year's victory at Kempton. Alfraamsey will have come on for his recent reappearance and may figure along with Double Cee.
Story Writer 11-4 (9-13) In touch, switched right 7f out, headway to track leader 6f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, caught close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Phiz (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stks (5) pol.
Squad 10-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, driven along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Woolfall Treasure (9-13) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Alfraamsey 20-1 (9-0) Keen, tracked leader, led 3f out, soon headed, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Meetings Man (9-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
While You Wait (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, ridden and headway when switched left inside final 2f, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong and closed, always held, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Mungo Park (9-10) at Windsor 1m 4f sell stks (6) gf.
Double Cee 9-2 (8-13) Led, joined 4f out, driven 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 5, 6l behind Sula Two (9-2) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Hunting Tower 9-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden into 5th 2f out, no extra in 6th 1 1/2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 14l behind Blue Cannon (7-13) at Down Royal 2m 2f hcp in Sep.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 11-8fav (9-6) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, edged right over 2f out, driven ahead near finish, won at Kempton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jun beating Fulgora (9-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Star Alliance (IRE) 15-8 (10-0) Raced wide chasing leaders, pushed along 6f out, soon lost place, driven and struggling 4f out, tailed off, 6th of 7, 22l behind Torero (9-8) at Catterick 2m sell stks (6) sft.