led, headed before 6th, close up 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
keen towards rear, steady headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, stayed on under pressure from last but no chance with winner
prominent, lost place 5th, close up 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up in midfield, steady headway after 4 out, ridden to chase leader before 2 out, weakened before last
restrained towards rear, headway on outside 6th, travelled strongly to chase leaders 3 out, close up when ridden 2 out, led narrowly last, stayed on strongly under pressure flat
held up in midfield, ridden after 4 out, short of room on turn before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
prominent, led narrowly 6th, opened up lead 3 out, ridden before 2 out where not fluent, headed approaching last, one pace flat
tracked leader, close up 6th, upsides when blundered 4 out, lost place when hampered on bend soon after, ridden in rear before 3 out, no extra
Our Power was just over three lengths behind War Lord here four weeks ago but is now 7lb better off. Albert's Back was always travelling well when beating a decent yardstick at Wetherby and may progress further but this looks an insufficient test of stamina for Electron Bleu. The market will likely tell us all we need to know about the returning The Last Day and Secrete Stream but the former did win on his reappearance last season. Chirico Vallis looks to have been reeled in by the assessor but MCGOWAN’S PASS was progressing on heavy going at the start of the year and was unlucky not to make a winning return at Ayr. He’s on a career-high mark now but still looks the pick of the weights today.
Chirico Vallis (FR) 11-4 (11-3) Led, hit 6th hard, headed approaching last, rallied to lead again run in, headed close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Mint Condition (10-3) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
War Lord (GER) 13-2 (11-0) Held up in midfield, headway to chase leaders 3 out, close up 2 out, led on landing after last, stayed on flat, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Umbrigado (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Our Power (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Midfield, hampered by faller 3 out, headway under pressure 2 out, outpaced before last, ran on strongly flat, 3rd of 14, 3 1/4l behind War Lord (11-0) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
The Last Day (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistakes 1st and 2nd, outpaced 4 out, stayed on strongly into 4th after last, never nearer, 4th of 10, 28l behind Capeland (10-13) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Albert's Back 4-1 (11-7) Bit keen tracking leading trio, went 2nd well before 3 out, led travelling well 3 out, ridden clear between last 2, awkward last, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Haafapiece (11-9) by 3 3/4l, 9 ran.
Secrete Stream (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Mid-division, pushed along after 5th, stayed on into modest 4th after last, never nearer, 4th of 9, 23 1/2l behind Main Fact (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Mcgowan's Pass 15-8fav (11-1) Disputed lead until going on 4 out, clear next, ridden after 2 out, slight mistake last and pressed for lead, battled gamely but caught in dying strides, 2nd of 6, shd behind Goobinator (11-2) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Electron Bleu (FR) 17-2 (10-12) Disputed lead, led after 1st, awkward 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 11, 25 1/4l behind Jeremy Pass (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
