held up in 5th, headway over 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden and went modest 3rd inside final 2f
bit keen tracking leaders disputing 3rd on inside, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened inside final 2f
tracked leaders disputing close 3rd, 2nd going well approaching final 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
led, brought field centre in home straight, headed over 2f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened quickly and soon behind, tailed off
NonRunner
NonRunner
Daniel Tudhope rides this track particularly well and his booking for Godolphin's MARCHING ARMY looks significant. The gelding has been absent since November but stable representatives rarely want for fitness returning from a break. The four-year-old only has seven runs to his name and is more than likely to improve further and hopefully the market will speak well of his chance on return. Spirit Dancer has only got his head in front once since scoring at Ripon in August 2020 but has delivered a series of competitive efforts in quality handicaps and was only beaten a length here in the John Smith's Cup. He should go close, whilst Good Birthday is a possible having been dropped a few pounds and Lucander cannot be discounted for a yard going well despite a welter burden of 10-2.
Lucander (IRE) 15-8fav (9-9) Prominent, tracked leaders 8f out, ridden over 2f out, held when hampered entering final furlong, soon weakened, last of 5, 3 3/4l behind The Whipmaster (8-6) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Marching Army 10-3fav (8-13) Prominent, ridden to lead entering final furlong, always holding rivals final 100 yards, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Nov beating Noble Masquerade (8-9) by nk, 11 ran.
Spirit Dancer 22-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, headway going okay over 2f out, ridden to challenge and led briefly over 1f out, soon headed and carried gradually left by winner from just over 1f out, no extra and lost two places final strides, 4th of 22, 1l behind Anmaat (9-8) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
What's The Story 50-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, no extra 1f out, 10th of 22, 5 1/4l behind Anmaat (9-8) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
The Flying Ginger (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon bumped by leader, no extra inside last, 3rd of 7, 8 1/4l behind Glenartney (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) gf in Jun.
Good Birthday (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) In touch, pushed along to challenge 2f out, hampered over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 12th of 22, 5 3/4l behind Anmaat (9-8) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Silver Gunn (IRE) 5-1 (10-2) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, pushed along over 3f out, ridden out wide over 2f out, headway went 3rd and stayed on inside final furlong, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Jewel In My Crown (10-0) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
