always prominent, ridden 3f out, ran on close home
held up, switched right over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon edged left, stayed on
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on close home
made all, ridden over 1f out, just held on
took keen hold and prominent, lost place 4f out, no danger after
Tawaaf, Chief Commander and Keel are three against the field in a tight handicap and the confident vote is given to Tawaaf. The selection won a maiden in good style when beating Bellabelini last time out. He enters handicaps on a handy mark and from a good draw he looks the one to be on. Chief Commander rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Art Elegant but that form has since been let down and he looks vulnerable off this mark so he is passed over on this ocassion. Keel is another last time out winner that could go well as he beat Pab Special with a little in hand last time but the handicapper appears to have taken no chances and for that reason he is opposed. Of the remainder Sigismundus has shown a modicum of ability and could go well at a price but he looks exposed and for the winner we return to Tawaaf.
Chief Commander (FR) 1-2fav (8-8) Broke well, steadied, lost place, headway 2f out, led edging left inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol beating Art Elegant (9-12) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Keel (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Slowly into stride, headway 5f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol beating Pab Special (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tawaaf 2-1fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol in Dec beating Bellabelini (8-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Vodkatini 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed and no extra inside last, 4th of 11, 1l behind Royal Reservation (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Sigismundus (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Behind, effort on inside over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 10, 3l behind Dingaan (9-4) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) std.
Tamagin (USA) 25-1 (8-12) Always in rear division, last of 10, 29l behind Give Me The Night (8-13) at Catterick 5f nov stk (5) gd in Oct.