held up, headway over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
started slowly and towards rear, headway on inner over 4f out, effort when not much room over 2f out, driven and evey chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden along over 4f out, weakened 2f out
ridden along over 3f out, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home
always rear division
took keen hold behind leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
never better than mid-division
mid-division, ridden along over 3f out, no extra final furlong
driven and headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden along over 4f out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
The top-weight Zalkani gets the verdict here over Cumbrian Knight and Larad. The selection has been running okay this season and did well last time out to chase home Spanish Conquest at Lingfield. The winner hasn't really done much for the form since but this represents a drop in class for Zalkani and he looks the best option. Cumbrian Knight has been running in some decent handicap chases over the last few weeks and was rated in the sixties on the flat not too long ago. In a race like this he has to be given a chance. Larad hasn't done much this campaign but on the pick of last season's form, which included some excellent runs here, he has very strong claims. The rest make little appeal in a very modest affair and so we return to Zalkani, who can give weight and a beating to this bunch
Zalkani (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Behind, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, took 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Spanish Conquest (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Cumbrian Knight (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Dwelt, soon mid-division, effort over 5f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 20l behind Danzatrice (11-1) at Musselburgh 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf in Aug.
Gatecrasher 66-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and weakened 3f out, 12th of 13, 23l behind Mighty Kitchener (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Aug.
Snowberry Hill (USA) 66-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 13, 19l behind Estate (9-11) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Always Baileys (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 11l behind Cotton Eyed Joe (9-9) at Haydock 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Mango Masher (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Always in rear, 13th of 16, 20l behind Red Current (8-11) at Chepstow 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Sept.
Kitebrook 100-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 31l behind Estate (9-11) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Larad (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, kept on final 2f, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 9, 18l behind Venir Rouge (10-2) at Newbury 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Royal Sailor (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Always behind, 7th of 8, 13l behind Living On A Prayer (10-10) at Musselburgh 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gd.
Rusty Roof 66-1 (9-2) In rear, driven over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 7, 28l behind Kirstys Lad (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct.
Onefourseven 8-1 (7-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Faraway Lady (8-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (F) gf in Aug '03.
Cemgraft 9-2fav (9-8) Held up, ridden 3f out, no impression over 2f out, weakened, 8th of 13, 9l behind Jadeeron (9-4) at Lingfield 2m hcap (6) pol in Aug '06.
