held up in rear, headway on outer 3f out, one pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 3f out, no impression from over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
chased leader, weakened over 3f out, soon tailed off
held up mid-division, headway on inner over 3f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on well
in touch, headway 3f out, one pace
led, headed over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, kept on final furlong
held up in rear, effort well over 2f out, no impression
Nonrunner
Kayf Aramis comes here chasing a hat-trick in the race, but despite being on the same mark as last year the fast ground will definitely be against him and we prefer the claims of Mighty Moon, while Inchpast and Mister Arjay look booked for good runs. Richard Fahey-trained Mighty Moon tries this trip for the first time, and the step up to this far can probably bring about a bit more improvement. Now around a stone below his highest rating, the grey gelding was tried over an inadequate 12 furlongs last time and performed with some credit. However, that had the look of a pipe-opener for this race, and with the yard going well this beautifully bred five-year-old can enjoy his first win for over 18 months. Inchpast has come back to form for Mark Tompkins, winning successive races over a similar trip to this on the polytrack. He is back up to his highest winning mark, but he does act on the ground and would be no shock winner. Mister Arjay is a regular in this sort of contest and acts on the ground. He comes here on the back of a decent Ripon run last time and is very much respected. Bugsy's Boy is in good recent form but is not certain to act on this faster ground, while Accordello and Noddies Way are both in good shape but will find it tough at these weights. Rock 'N' Roller is far from certain to get home here and would prefer slightly slower ground, and the latter comment also applies to Flame Creek. Thewhirlingdervish is well handicapped on his best form but the yard's recent run does not inspire confidence in spite of their great record here, Numero Due has yet to convince he retains his old spark, and of the rest Lady Dedlock may just be a blot on the handicap if the form of an eased-down Kempton win can be trusted in this much tougher contest. That said, Mighty Moon looks like he has been tuned up for this and he can confirm that here.
Numero Due 16-1 (9-6) Behind, outpaced 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, no impression, 5th of 9, 11l behind Highland Legacy (9-7) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Inchpast 11-4fav (9-13) Towards rear, headway 4f out, led over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec beating Up In Arms (8-13) by 4l, 6 ran.
Thewhirlingdervish (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Held up, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 19l behind Highland Legacy (9-7) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Great As Gold (IRE) 3-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, 7th of 9, 39l behind Grizebeck (9-13) at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Strobe 11-2 (9-4) Led 2f, remained close up, ridden 4f out, weakened approaching 2f out, last of 7, 10l behind Shine And Rise (9-4) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Mighty Moon 6-4fav (8-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Greyfriars Abbey (8-10) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Kayf Aramis 6-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 8th of 10, 16l behind Double Banded (9-0) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Nov.
Mister Arjay (USA) 4-1 (9-6) Soon led, ridden over 3f out, driven over 1f out, kept on final furlong until headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Danzatrice (9-0) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Bugsy's Boy Evensfav (9-6) Prominent, led briefly over 2f out, soon ridden and caught flat-footed by winner, stayed on final furlong but never able to get back on terms, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Lupita (8-1) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Flame Creek (IRE) 20-1 (8-1) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Red Wine (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Rose Bien 7-1 (9-0) Steadied start, towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway and kept on final 2f, never a danger, 4th of 11, 10l behind Coda Agency (8-13) at Kempton 2m hcap (5) pol.
Noddies Way 5-1 (8-8) Made all, set steady pace, reminders over 2f out, soon pressed, asserted inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr beating Rollin 'n Tumblin (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Accordello (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden along, headway over 3f out, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong, held, 2nd of 15, nk behind Hue (9-11) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Mar.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 7-2 (9-9) Held up mid-division, improved over 4f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr beating Ashmolian (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-12) Towards rear, not clear run over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 12, 3l behind Nero West (8-7) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Lady Dedlock 15-2 (8-13) In touch, led 2f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Apr beating Salut Saint Cloud (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
