keen tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, challenged throughout final furlong, ran on, just held
steadied start held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, never nearer
made all, ridden over 1f out, driven and hung left inside final furlong, all out
slowly away, keen towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened 1f out
keen held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, reminder 3f out, ridden and kept on, one pace from over 1f out
held up, outpaced halfway, soon ridden, kept on, not troubled leaders
close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt raced green in rear, soon ridden along, never near leaders
chased leaders early, gradually lost place after 3f
Barry Hills has won this three times in the last six years so Commended will have been targeted at the event. He was an expensive failure in maidens at York and here in October, the last time by an 80/1 chance, and may not quite have the scope of some of these rivals. Afkar was only a length behind Cafe Elektric on his only start at Brighton in May and the winner went on to a rating of 91 so the form looks decent. Battle Of Britain was a short-priced beaten favourite on three occasions so unless one of the newcomers is special this can go to MISK KHITAAM. John Dunlop's colt caught the eye on his second start over today's C&D in October when finishing strongly after being impeded at a crucial stage and his dam was a high-class performer from 6f to a mile.
Afkar (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Slowly into stride, raced in 4th on outside, pushed along to chase winner well over 1f out, chance over 1f out, one pace and held inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Cafe Elektric (9-3) at Brighton 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in May.
Battle Of Britain 9-2 (8-11) Raced centre, prominent, came stands side 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 22l behind Reginald Claude (8-12) at Nottingham 6f 2yo hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Commended 6-4fav (9-3) Overall leader far side, driven 2f out, soon ridden, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind My Delirium (8-9) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Dunseverick (IRE) Footstepsinthesand gelding out of Theatrale.
L'Ami Louis (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Always in rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 14l behind Namibian (9-3) at York 7f 2yo mdn (2) sft in Oct.
L'hermitage (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Soon pushed along in rear, outpaced 4f out, 9th of 12, 14l behind Muntasib (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Lieutenant Kojak Iceman gelding out of Red Duchess.
Misk Khitaam (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, lost place halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on towards finish, not reach leaders, 5th of 17, 6l behind Loving Spirit (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Pagan Warrior (IRE) Sadler's Wells colt out of Brigid.
Who Loves Ya Baby Sulamani gelding out of Aberlady Bay.
