led at start, prominent, ridden when switched right between last 2, close up on line of 3 disputing 3rd when blundered badly and unseated rider last
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, closer to leaders 5th, ridden 2 out, stayed on flat but never quite able to challenge
mid-division, closer to leaders 5th, led slightly right approaching 2 out, led when not fluent last, ridden out
led to 3rd, led again approaching 2 out, hung left approaching last, not quicken flat, finished 2nd, demoted to 3rd
held up, ridden along after 5th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on flat
raced keenly, in rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
took keen hold towards rear, hit 3 out, headway when not much room approaching 2 out, trying to challenge when hampered and squeezed out approaching last, stayed on towards finish, finished 3rd, promoted to 2nd
held up, ridden and effort to press leaders approaching 2 out, beaten before last
Kanad is the pick ahead of Mexican Pete, Bureaucrat, Kingkohler and Roman Villa. Kanad was last seen when adding to his tally at Worcester in April, aided by first-time cheekpieces and a tongue-tie, after which he was expected to have a wind operation. A career over fences beckons, but he has the form to make a bold bid to follow up here and gets the vote. Alan King, who won this two years ago with Diva, has his team in fine form, so course-and-distance winner Mexican Pete will be fancied to go well, especially as he was in winning form on fast ground on the Flat this summer. Bureaucrat failed to settle in first-time blinkers at Plumpton, and ran out of steam completely well before the finish. Not surprisingly the aids are left off now, and connections will hope for a better showing from this one-time promising gelding. Kingkohler shaped well when second here in May but has been off since failing to cut any ice on heavy ground on the level at Haydock four months ago, while Roman Villa did not run too badly at Perth last time, and will at least handle the ground. Preference is for Kanad.
Bureaucrat 5-1 (11-4) Led, clear halfway, ridden after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened quickly and tailed off when fell at the last in race won by Mister Benedictine (11-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept, 9 ran.
Lord Baskerville 18-1 (11-7) Pulled hard, prominent, chased winner approaching 6th until before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 6l behind Scots Grey (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Mexican Pete 16-1 (11-0) Behind, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 42l behind Desert Quest (10-3) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gs in Dec '05.
Kanad Evensfav (11-5) Always prominent, led 2 out, soon ridden, driven out, won at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr beating In The Lead (9-12) by a nk, 12 ran.
Nawamees (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, 17l behind Grecian Groom (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Dune Raider (USA) 22-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 49l behind Pigeon Island (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Kingkohler (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Prominent, jumped left 5th, 8 lengths down in 3rd when fell 4 out in race won by Etoile Russe (11-0) at Fakenham 2m beg chs (4) gf in May, 9 ran.
Roman Villa (USA) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Kristiansand (10-5) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in Sept.
Phoenix Eye 4-1 (9-11) Held up, headway 7th, led after 3 out, hard ridden and headed close home, 3rd of 6, nk behind Mister Right (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Boss Imperial (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Led until ridden 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 14l behind Kanad (11-5) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
