tracked leader, smooth headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden after next, jockey dropped whip approaching last, driven out, run-in
in touch, smooth headway from 4 out to chase winner, hit next, one pace after last
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, blundered 2 out, one pace after
mid-division, lost touch from 6th
led until headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened
always behind, lost touch from after 4th
towards rear, ridden after 6th, kept on from 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
towards rear, ridden after 6th, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 5th
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, lost place and behind 5th, soon beaten
Masafi gets the confident vote here with Double Vodka and Orang Outan rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair sort on the flat and won well over hurdles last time out when beating Spring Breeze over course and distance. Granted he has a penalty for that win but under conditions that suit he is taken to defy the handicapper. Double Vodka rates the main danger on his latest second behind Up Above. He is sure to improve but he will need to do so to beat the selection. Orang Outan is another that could go well on his best form but he did not progress as expected last time and for that reason is opposed. Of the others King¿s Envoy is another that has shown a glimmer of ability but he disappointed last time and in a race where few can be fancied for the winner we return to Masafi who looks sure to go on to better things.
Masafi (IRE) 2-7fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 4 out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Dec beating Spring Breeze (11-5) by 6l, 13 ran.
Double Vodka (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd last, no impression, 2nd of 20, 5l behind Up Above (11-2) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Easibet Dot Net 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders over 8f, 9th of 13, 17l behind Vaughan (9-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f clm (4) gs in Oct (Flat).
King's Envoy (USA) 50-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, weakened from 4th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Saif Sareea (10-1) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Nov, 13 ran.
Nicozetto (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 43l behind Predator (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Dec.
Oulan Bator (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Percussionist (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Palamedes 12-1 (9-12) Led to 5f out, weakened quickly, last of 9, well behind Sun Hill (9-0) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) fbs in Nov (Flat).
Platinum Point (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 5th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Etched In Stone (11-5) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft, 15 ran.
Power Strike (USA) 100-1 (10-7) Behind when mistake 6th, 13th of 15, well behind Euro Route (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (G) gf in Sept.
Tinian 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace when hit 2 out, 5th of 13, 25l behind Masafi (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (E) gf in Dec.
Vrisaki (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, well behind Waterloo Son (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (F) gs in Dec.
Cashema (IRE) 150-1 (10-7) In touch, led 3rd, headed approaching 3 out, ridden and soon weakened, 9th of 13, 41l behind Estepona (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
McCormack (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, well behind Ortolan Bleu (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Orang Outan (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 19l behind Ortolan Bleu (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Rightful Ruler 8-1 (9-2) Held up in touch until weakened 2f out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Love Angel (8-11) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) hrd in Sept (Flat).
