held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, switched right to challenge over 2f out, staying on same pace when bumped inside final furlong, no extra
always behind
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
always behind, ridden halfway, never dangerous
tracked leaders, switched right approaching final furlong, never able to challenge
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, switched right to challenge over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, weakened
pulled hard, prominent, effort over 2f out, soon hung left and weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just failed
slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly closing stages
led, hard ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
in touch, lost place over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 1f out, never nearer
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hard pressed closing stages, just held on
tracked leader, effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
TRAIL BLAZE made his reappearance in the Irish Lincoln at the Curragh but weakened in the closing stages having cut out the early running. He should last longer here on quicker ground with that run under his belt and, ideally drawn for a front-runner, could take some pegging back as he is 10lb better off with Norse Blues than when third behind the top weight over course and distance last August. Englishman is an interesting runner as Charlie Hills wouldn't be running him if he didn't think he was capable of a bold showing. Fort Bastion is potentially well treated but Chilworth Icon is probably better over sprint distances and Grissom usually needs a run. Dusky Queen and stablemate Farlow have to go on the short-list, however, with the latter looking the pick on jockey bookings having run well in the Spring Mile at Doncaster two weeks ago.
Norse Blues 12-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, driven over 3f out, soon ridden, never reached leaders, 8th of 10, 6l behind Levitate (8-7) at Ayr 1m hcp 105 (2) gs in Sep.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In touch in 5th on inside, headway and every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Gworn (8-11) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Fort Bastion (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Dwelt, behind, headway over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 9l behind Seussical (9-0) at York 1m 2f (2) gd in Oct.
Bear Behind (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, driven halfway, weakened well over 1f out, last of 11, 11l behind Aetna (8-12) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
Chilworth Icon 20-1 (9-4) Held up off the pace in 8th, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, not reach leading duo, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Purcell (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Chosen Character (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Close up, weakened 2f out, 16th of 18, 16l behind Flyman (9-2) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Mar.
Talented Kid 12-1 (9-6) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Purcell (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Englishman 8-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 15th of 22, 11l behind Dawn Approach (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun '12.
Askaud (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) With leaders, weakened over 2f out, 21st of 22, 37l behind Brae Hill (9-9) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Showboating (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 22, 6l behind Brae Hill (9-9) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Grissom (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 5l behind Al's Memory (8-10) at Chester 6f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul.
Shahdaroba (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Race far side, mid-division, ridden and hung left 2f out, soon weakened, 20th of 27, 16l behind Breton Rock (9-4) at Ascot 7f (2) sft in Oct.
Dusky Queen (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) In touch, switched right over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 4th of 20, 8l behind Levitate (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Nov.
Farlow (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway 3f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 22, 3 1/2l behind Brae Hill (9-9) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Lilac Lace (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, soon hard pressed, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 20, 13l behind Levitate (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Nov.
Trail Blaze (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Led, joined halfway, headed and ridden 3f out, weakened, 14th of 21, 21l behind Stuccodor (9-9) at Curragh 1m Premier Handicap (4yo+) in Mar.
