dwelt, soon tracking leaders and took keen hold, driven along over 3f out, weakening when hampered over 2f out
dwelt, held up, came wide entering straight, good headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
mid-division, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden along 3f out, headway over 2f out, hung right inside final furlong, stayed on
held up in touch, chasing leaders from 3f out until 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, soon not clear run
mid-division, headway and edged right over 2f out, led 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, ridden over 3f out, always towards rear
held up and behind, driven along over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, switched left and headway inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 2f out, edged right and headed 1f out, one pace
slowly into stride, soon recovered to lead and raced keenly, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
This is not as competitive as it looks and Dante's Diamond is expected to take first prize, Scutch Mill and Discotheque are the likely dangers. Alan Swinbank's four-year-old has shown improved form on his last two outings, coming up against some well handicapped horses. Nothing here stands out as being ahead of the handicapper and he can gain a deserved victory. Scutch Mill hit winning form last time out, landing an apprentice handicap at Kempton. There is no penalty for that success and if suited by the extra distance he should go close. Discotheque was also successful last time out, just getting up to beat Black Sea Pearl. He has more on his plate this afternoon, but should still be in the firing line. The only other one that may pose a threat is Uhuru Peak, but with so much dead wood in the race it doesn't look too difficult a task for Dante's Diamond who is our confident choice.
Burnley Al (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Steadied start, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 5l behind Buscador (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Scutch Mill (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden clear, won at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol beating Beneking (8-8) by 2l, 13 ran.
Dante's Diamond (IRE) 10-3 (8-13) Held up, headway 2f out, hung left, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Spark Up (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Uhuru Peak 3-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 7l behind Astronomical Odds (11-5) at Southwell 1m amt hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
Discotheque (USA) 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 7f fll hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Black Sea Pearl (8-10) by a hd, 12 ran.
Leighton Buzzard 3-1fav (9-3) Towards rear, headway well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 10l behind Some Diva (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Persona (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, soon ridden, no impression and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 8l behind Eccollo (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
The Gaikwar (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 3f out, switched right over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Mozie Cat (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) std.
