Verdict

The admirably tough Suits Me has finished third in this for the last two years, but David Barron’s frontrunner is always vulnerable to a progressive younger horse these days and HUNTER’S LIGHT fits the bill. The Godolphin colt has won a couple of Listed events this season including his latest start at Goodwood and last November’s debut second at Kempton suggests he’ll be just as effective on the Polytrack. Stablemate Spring Of Fame is also up to winning this at his best, but he’s been nowhere near that since a victory at Meydan early in the year, and Night Lily could prove a bigger threat having gone close in Listed company at Dundalk last time. Maali could make the frame, but the remaining handicappers look up against it.

Formwatch

Circumvent 17-2 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and hung left over 1f out, never on terms with leaders, 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Kirthill (8-8) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Oct.

Classic Colori (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 16, 8l behind Kirthill (8-8) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Oct.

Nice Style (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out to get in behind leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 19, 5l behind Dhaular Dhar (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.

Spring of Fame (USA) 5-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 13l behind Western Aristocrat (8-9) at Kempton 1m stks (3yo+) (4) pol in Sep.

Suits Me 11-2 (9-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, headed close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Art History (8-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.

Hunter’s Light (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) In touch in rear, headway entering final 3f, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Sep beating Fallen Idol (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.

Maali (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, pressed for 2nd final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Secrecy (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Oct.

Proud Chieftain 4-1 (9-4) Held up in touch on inside, headway on inside to 2nd well over 1f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, always holding on, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating New Hampshire (9-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.

Night Lily (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, 3rd 1f out, ran on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, ns behind Clinical (9-3) at Dundalk 1m flls lst stks (1) pol.

Satwa Pearl 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt in rear, headway to chase leaders 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 7th of 17, 6l behind Mirror Lake (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) sft.