pressed leader, until weakened over 1f out, eased when beaten final furlong
slowly into stride and always behind
prominent over 3f
in touch, ridden halfway, soon behind
going well and held up in touch, chased leader over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, soon clear
close up, hard ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden on outside halfway, soon beaten
made most, ridden and headed over 1f out, eased when beaten inside final furling
raced alone on stand rail, speed to halfway, not on terms final 2f
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner just inside final furlong, kept on well for clear 2nd
pulled hard, held up, switched to race on far side rails, switched out 2f out, kept on final furlong but never a danger
held up, ridden hafway, no impression final 2f
held up, ridden on outer halfway, no impression final 2f
Top weight Witchery may find the conditions too testing and preference is for Judd Street, who gets the vote ahead of Briannsta. The selection has yet to race on turf but has a progressive profile on the all-weather and is bred to appreciate today's conditions. Fulke Johnson Houghton's gelding is also well drawn and, if taking to turf, should be too good for his rivals. Briannsta is similarly well berthed and should also have no problems with the surface but may ideally want further to show his best form. The Derek Haydn Jones-trained Royal Orissa and consistent Il Pranzo both warrant respect but have difficult draws to overcome. Grand Option did not beat a great deal when winning at Pontefract when last seen and faces no easy task and a bigger threat may come from Grigorovitch. Barry Hills tends to do well with his runners early season so the lightly raced son of Fasilyev has to be respected but Judd Street is a three-year-old in form and gets the vote.
Witchry 4-1jt-fav Slowly away, held up, never nearer, 7th of 13, 6l behind Nova Tor at Newmarket 5f 2yo hcp (C) gs in Aug.
Nova Tor (IRE) 6-4fav Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 5f 3yo clm (F4) pol beating Hiamovi by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Happy Event 16-1 Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 11l behind Pivotal Flame at Leicester 7f nov stk (D2) gs in Sept.
Doctor's Cave 9-2 Outpaced from halfway, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Anfield Dream at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp (D2) pol.
Royal Orissa 5-1fav Chased leaders centre, headway to lead well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed final 75 yards, no extra, 2nd of 20, 1/2l behind Breaking Shadow at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) gs in Nov.
Judd Street 9-1 In touch and going well, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp (D2) pol beating Anfield Dream by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Westbrook Blue 66-1 Always behind, 10th of 11, 6l behind Polish Emperor at W'hampton 5f hcp (C1) pol in Feb.
Edge Fund 2-1fav Chased leaders, ridden to lead briefly 2f out, weakening when hampered on rail entering final furlong, 9th of 11, 6l behind Dispol In Mind at Bath 5f 2yo mdn aut (F) gf in Aug.
Il Pranzo 66-1 Slowly into stride, pulled hard, hampered after 1f, never dangerous, last of 11, 16l behind Party Boss at Lingfield 7f 3yo lst stk (A1) pol.
Celtic Spa (IRE) 20-1 Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 6l behind Im Spartacus at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (D3) pol in Nov.
Briannsta (IRE) 10-1 Prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and held on gamely, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (C2) pol in Nov beating Tiger Dawn by a hd, 13 ran.
Grigorovitch (IRE) 3-1 Slowly into stride, held up and took keen hold, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn (D3) pol in Nov beating Gifted Lass by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Grand Option 11-2 Prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (F3) gd in Oct beating Skiddaw Wolf by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Sergeant Lewis 4-1 Raced wide, in touch, led 3f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 6f mdn stk (D3) fbs beating Phi Phi by 1/2l, 10 ran.
