took keen hold, led 2nd, headed 3 out, no extra flat
mid-division, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead flat, edged left close home
prominent, weakened approaching 3 out
not fluent, led unti 2nd, hampered 5th, soon ridden and behind, tailed off
mid-division, ridden 3 out, weakened next
held up in touch, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, jumped right 5th, not fluent next, improved 3 out, every chance flat, held towards finish
held up in rear, headway from 3 out, blundered 2 out, went 4th close home, never nearer
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed flat, held towards finish
in rear, mistakes, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Dark Energy was placed several times in this grade in the autumn and should make his presence felt. But this may well rest between Marc Aurele and PENYFAN DAWN, who have both been keeping better company in the main. The former has been chasing lately so we're coming down on the side of McCoy's mount, who was facing a stiff task at the weights when only fourth in a claimer at Towcester on his latest outing. Bagutta Sun hinted at ability last year and may be the pick of the remainder ahead of Denton Ryal.
Calaficial (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Tracked leader and keen, reminders and weakened over 6f out, soon tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Cloudy Spirit (10-7) at Southwell 2m n h flat (4) std in Dec.
Cityar (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, 4th of 13, 9l behind King's Realm (11-2) at Wetherby 2m mdn clm hdl (5) gd.
Dark Energy 7-1 (11-6) Held up in last trio, effort and ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, mistake last, 4th of 8, 14l behind Lastroseofsummer (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Full Ov Beans 40-1 (10-13) Towards rear, struggling after 4th, well behind from next, 10th of 13, well behind Leopard Hills (10-13) at Stratford 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Jumped left, led, reminders 10th, headed before 4 out, weakened before next, left poor 3rd last, tailed off, 3rd of 4, well behind Spock (11-12) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Nicky Nutjob (GER) 33-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, blundered badly 5th, struggling next, weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, 45l behind Baccalaureate (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m cond sll hdl (5) gf in May.
Penyfan Dawn (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in last, mistake 5th, headway on outside 3 out, soon went 4th, well held next, 4th of 8, 10l behind Le Corvee (10-11) at Towcester 2m clm hdl (5) gf in May.
Bagutta Sun 11-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 3rd, driven after 5th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 6, 21l behind Turbo Shandy (10-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Denton Ryal 9-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, chased leader, hit 6th, lost 2nd 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 8, 19l behind Lastroseofsummer (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Thetasteofparadise 80-1 (10-0) Held up last, mistake and stumbled 1st, blundered badly and rider lost irons 4th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Leopard Hills (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gd in Apr, 6 ran.
