led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, prominent 5th, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, chased winner from last, no impression
held up in rear, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
with leader, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, weakened after last
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, clear last, easily
chased leaders, weakened from 4th, tailed off from 3 out
in touch, lost place from 3 out, stayed on well from last
held up, pushed along approaching 3 out, never dangerous
Withdrawn
The vote here goes to Kingkohler, with others given mentions being Lord Lington, Iberus, Ela Re and Karathaena. Kingkohler clearly benefited from the fast pace he encountered to win at Bangor last time but, even so, he did it well and remains competitive from just a three-pounds higher mark. Also, his trainer has postponed his chasing career to take in this contest. Lord Lington was a good third at Worcester off a two-pounds lower mark in April, which was a fair effort, while Iberus, who will be fit from the Flat, would have a good chance on last November's form, including over course and distance. Ela Re is well weighted based on a Cheltenham win in January 2004 and a selling win last time will have restored his confidence, while much as Karathaena has not built on two novice wins last winter, his last run, which came here over further, was a bit more encouraging. With Goss penalised seven pounds for his Newton Abbot win, Why The Long Face appearing better over further, and the others having disappointed of late, although Siegfrieds Night now races in a first-time tongue tie, we return to the selection, which is Kingkohler.
Goss 6-1 (11-2) Always prominent, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on, ridden out, won at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Aug beating Critical Stage (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Kingkohler (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Pulled hard in rear, headway 5th, not fluent 6th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (C) gs in Sept beating Spectrometer (11-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Why The Long Face (NZ) 10-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, headway 3 out, challenged next, every chance when not fluent last, no extra flat, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Swift Swallow (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in May.
Lord Lington (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Held up, blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Monticelli (11-6) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jun, 18 ran.
Iberus (GER) 5-2fav (11-8) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 15l behind Brave Vision (9-12) at Newcastle 2m amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Karathaena (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up, towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 12, 12l behind Wise Tale (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Sept.
Alpine Hideaway (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Beaugency (9-10) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Jul, 12 ran.
Ela Re 11-4fav (11-5) Made all, soon clear, shaken up approaching last, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m 1f sll hdl (G) gd in Aug beating Staff Nurse (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
