slowly into stride, always in rear, tailed off and eased final 2f
took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, ridden and weakened entering final 2f
led 1f, chased leader, led again over 5f out until 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway and switched left insids final 2f, stayed on to 4th inside final furlong, kept pressing for 3rd
raced wide in mid-division, effort on outside over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
took keen hold in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pressed leader, led after 1f until over 5f oput, led again 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased leader until over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leading pair, led over 2f out, ridden and stayed on from over 1f out, headed final 100 yards
held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
always towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, effort on inside halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Mark Johnston has won this three times in the past 10 years though no favourite has been successful. The Middleham handler is represented here by the superbly-bred HAJRAS, who didn't make his debut until last month when he started long odds-on and easily landed a poor maiden. He's in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown next month so will need to take this from a mark of 76 to take up that entry. Just Fabulous is unbeaten after two runs over 7f on soft ground and makes her handicap debut while Mr Spiggott looked one to follow this year when ploughing through the Haydock mud to land a handicap in October. The Godolphin entry Commissar landed a Newmarket maiden very easily last May but was well beaten in much higher class in his three subsequent starts.
Commissar 13-2 (9-1) Led early, settled in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 4, 12l behind Trumpet Major (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo stk (2) gf in Aug.
Ghostwriting (USA) 7-1 (9-7) Always behind, 9th of 11, 10l behind Shamaal Nibras (9-0) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Just Fabulous 13-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, switched left and headway inside final furlong, ran on well to lead final 50 yards, won at Redcar 7f nov med aut stk (5) sft in Aug beating Vital Gold (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Zakreet 11-1 (8-11) Soon led, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 10l behind Chapter Seven (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Mr Spiggott (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Slow into stride, in rear, headway 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon hung badly left, straightend and ran on near finish, won at Haydock 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct beating Grizzle (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Choisan (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on, driven out, won at Musselburgh 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Golden Halo (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bountiful Girl 6-1 (8-11) Soon tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Storming Bernard (9-5) at Ayr 1m 2yo nov stk (4) gs in Sep.
Satanic Beat (IRE) 11-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 8th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Strictly Silver (8-7) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct.
Dance The Rain 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led 3f out until over 2f out, weakened entering final 2f, 11th of 13, 20l behind Brimstone Hill (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Hajras (IRE) 4-9fav (9-3) Dwelt, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Mar beating King's Wharf (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
For Shia And Lula (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, headway on outside 2f out, no impression when hung badly left from over 1f out, 6th of 9, 4l behind Tones (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
The Blue Banana (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, last of 11, 18l behind Kingsdesire (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
