held up, headway after 4 out to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden and one pace
tracked leaders, headway and every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened from approaching last
towards rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out and every chance 2 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead last and headed and no extra flat
tracked leader, ridden 3 out and soon beaten
held up, smooth headway to go close up 3 out, kept on and every chance last, driven out to lead flat
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, every chance next, not much room approaching last and one pace flat
led and soon clear, joined approaching 3 out, soon ridden and headed last and no extra flat
Palomar is impossible to oppose in the finale with Folk Tune and Classic Gold rating the main dangers. The selection won a stronger contest in facile fashion on Thursday at Kempton when beating French Opera and although having a seven pound penalty for that win he will be much higher when he is reassessed and he need only put in a clear round to score. Folk Tune rates the main danger on his latest second behind Roman Villa, that form has since been franked but he will do well to give weight and a beating to the selection. Classic Gold is another that could go well as he beat Boot 'n Toot last time but he looks vulnerable under top weight. Of the remainder Along The Nile won well on his debut and is sure to improve but Palomar looks one to keep on the right side of at present and he will be hard to beat.
Classic Gold (GER) 2-1 (11-4) Close up, hit 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, just held on, won at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) frm in Nov beating Boot 'n Toot (10-5) by a shd, 6 ran.
Dancing Lyra 16-1 (10-8) Held up, headway 4 out, held when blundered last, 6th of 15, 12l behind Souffleur (10-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Folk Tune (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out, staying on when not much room approaching last, kept on flat, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Roman Villa (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Masafi (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, reminders after 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 50l behind Roman Villa (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Along The Nile 14-1 (10-7) Made all, under pressure from 2 out, hit last, driven out, won at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gf in Nov beating Sea Storm (10-9) by 1l, 14 ran.
Regent's Secret (USA) 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, effort 4th, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 16l behind Roman Villa (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Stainley (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Roman Villa (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Palomar (USA) 3-1fav (9-13) Held up in rear, smooth headway on bit after 3 out, upsides 2 out, soon led, forged clear, very easily, won at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs beating French Opera (11-5) by 6l, 13 ran.
