mid-division, weakened from 3 out
led, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 5th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, pulled up
held up in touch, headway before 3 out, led soon after, ridden before last, kept on well, ridden out
always towards rear
always towards rear
tracked leader, pushed along 4 out, ridden before next, soon weakened
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway before 2 out, quickly weakened, fell last
held up in touch, headway before 3 out, went 2nd soon after, ridden before 2 out, slight chance before last, kept on and held run-in
towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, kept on before last
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out in 3rd, kept on and no impression
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon went 4th, one pace
Only one favourite has been successful in the last 10 renewals. Sea Lord will start somewhere near the head of the betting but he has a 14lb hike in the weights to contend with while Coffee will also have his supporters as he bids for hat-trick off a 9lb higher mark. Australia Day won this in 2010 but finished a long way behind Local Hero in last year's running. The latter is 4lb higher this time round and despite today's better terms may find BARIZAN too good again having finished well behind the latter in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May. Evan Williams' charge is also preferred to Tzora who arrives on the back of a couple of easy wins at Newton Abbot, although the unexposed War Singer could prove a threat with a recent pipe-opener on the Flat under his belt.
Local Hero (GER) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching last, ran on flat, went 3rd close home, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 16, 20l behind Barizan (10-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in May.
Australia Day (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, jumped right, headed 4th, led next, headed 3 out, weakened after next, 9th of 11, 38l behind Coffee (10-3) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Jun.
Barizan (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, led 3 out, clear next, held on well, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in May beating Mr Mole (11-3) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Tzora 5-1 (11-6) In rear, headway before 4 out, chased leadders before 2 out, led 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in Jun beating Sidney Melbourne (11-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
Sea Lord (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) In touch, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, rallied next, led again last, ridden clear flat, won at Worcester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jun beating Man Of Leisure (11-10) by 7l, 13 ran.
Hi Dancer 66-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, pushed along from 4th, soon lost place and behind, tailed off, 17th of 18, well behind Olofi (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Zarzal (IRE) 10-11fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, blundered 2 out, headed between last 2, weakened before last, 6th of 12, 17l behind Urcalin (10-11) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Baccalaureate (FR) 5-1fav (11-3) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed before last, no extra close home, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Tom Wade (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
Street Entertainer (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 6th, headway when bad mistake 2 out, not recover and well held after, 8th of 16, 39l behind Barizan (10-6) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in May.
Coffee (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Jun beating Sidney Melbourne (10-2) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
The Cockney Mackem (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up, went 3rd after 4 out, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 19l behind Wake Your Dreams (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
War Singer (USA) 8-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, smooth headway on inside before 2 out, ridden to challenge last, stayed on under pressure flat, not quite going pace of leading duo, 4th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Raya Star (11-12) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Roman Flight (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 6th, close up 2 out, one pace and no impression flat, 5th of 19, 9l behind Fleet Dawn (11-2) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) gs in Mar.
Tom Wade (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, led before last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun beating Knight In Purple (11-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
