tracked (clear) leader, closer 8f out, led travelling well over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on well
took keen hold, held up in 4th place, headway on inside into 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home
pulled hard, led over 11f out and soon clear, reduced lead 8f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leading pair, pushed along and bit wide on bend 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
NonRunner
Great Hall notched-up a hat-trick last year and has every chance on these terms but hasn’t raced since October. Celestial Path also returns from an absence and is back on the Flat for the first time since 2016 while Calling Out has the more recent form but has a bit to find with RED VERDON both at the weights and on collateral form. The latter is penalised 3lb for winning a Listed race at Kempton last time but Ed Dunlop’ charge should still make a bold bid in this.
Red Verdon (USA) 5-2fav (9-6) Held up in last pair, good headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Nov beating Master The World (9-9) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Calling Out (FR) 13-2 (9-10) In touch, effort on outside over 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Ay Ay (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Celestial Path (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 5th, challenged after 3 out, ridden and no extra between last 2, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 11l behind Lord Huntingdon (11-8) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Great Hall 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Danehill Kodiac (9-2) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Mountain Bell 2-1fav (8-12) Keen early settled in touch in rear, headway in centre over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec beating Cape Cova (9-3) by 2l, 7 ran.