close up, effort over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken close home
held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
raced wide close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed post
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
dwelt soon tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, led post
held up, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, never nearer
in touch, ridden 3f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
steadied start always in rear
Eeny Mac won this in 2012 but has been badly out of form lately, as has fellow course and distance winner The Blue Banana. Shamaheart has been going well over 7f and has scored over further than this so he can get involved but Myfiftythreedotcom faces a stiff task on his first start since October and is yet to lose his maiden tag. Red Charmer has been running poorly but has dropped to his lowest mark for some time as a consequence. Rough Corte was well supported on his reappearance at Nottingham but couldn't quite keep up the gallop after leading from the start. SO IT'S WAR didn't show much last season but was made favourite on his reappearance at Newcastle where he found soft ground and a longer trip against him. This looks more like it and he can recoup losses. Cono Zur has won 10 races, almost all on fast going at around this trip, so he has to be respected.
Shamaheart (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) In touch, not much room 2f out, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Echo Of Lightning (8-12) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Mfiftythreedotcom (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Raced centre close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 17, 13l behind Echo Of Lightning (10-8) at Leicester 7f am hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Eeny Mac (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Keen with leader until ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 18l behind Echo Of Lightning (8-12) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Red Charmer (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, pushed along on inside and struggling over 2f out, behind and eased final furlong, tailed off, 10th of 11, 30l behind Hydrant (8-12) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Cono Zur (FR) 12-1 (9-1) Soon settled off the pace in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, headway on outside under pressure over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd near finish, never going pace to threaten, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Roayh (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Rough Courte (IRE) 2-1fav (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Irondale Express (8-8) at Nottingham 1m app hcp (6) sft.
So It's War (FR) 5-1fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 12l behind Tamayuz Magic (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Apr.
Swiss Lait 14-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, chased leader and edged right over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Swift Cedar (8-11) at Leicester 7f clm stks (6) sft in Oct.
The Blue Banana (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, never involved, 10th of 13, 10l behind Mercers Row (8-13) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
General Tufto 7-1 (9-1) Outpaced and behind, late headway final furlong, 6th of 11, 22l behind Space War (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.