held up in 5th, ridden and weakened over 2f out
started very slowly, behind, never on terms
raced keenly tracking leaders, ridden and lost 3rd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pushed along over 3f out, always behind
held up in 7th, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced, plugged on into modest 4th well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, travelling well in 2nd over 2f out, led and hung left over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, easily
led until over 2f out, chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
held up in 6th, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on into 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd well inside final furlong
A few of these have spent more time over obstacles than they have on the Flat. A Listed handicap winner over hurdles, Sign Of A Victory looks clearly best of those ahead of Alphabetical Order, L'Amiral David and Kay Sera, third in an all-weather bumper. But the vote goes to the John Jenkins-trained U S NAVY SEAL, who finished well ahead of Galley Proof when runner-up at Chelmsford recently and should appreciate today's longer distance.
Alphabetical Order 11-4fav (11-12) Made all, unchallenged, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Aug beating Dashing Over (10-12) by 8l, 4 ran.
Kay Sera 7-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Outrath (11-4) at Lingfield 2m (6) pol in Dec.
L'Amiral David (FR) 12-1 (9-11) Close up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 6, 8 1/4l behind Ballynanty (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Lord Aratan (GER) 25-1 (9-11) Dwelt, held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 32 3/4l behind White Nile (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Russian Bolero (GER) 40-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, 32 1/4l behind Moderah (9-0) at Leicester 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs in Sep.
Sign Of A Victory (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside travelling well before 2 out, ridden into 2nd before last, tried to challenge run-in, no extra in 4th inside final 150 yards, 4th of 11, 3l behind Nabucco (10-5) at Ascot 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Oct.
Galley Proof 5-1 (9-5) Dwelt, in touch, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 11l behind Markabah (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
U S Navy Seal (USA) 25-1 (9-5) Dwelt, towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Markabah (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Rivers Run (IRE) High Chaparral filly out of Quiet Waters.