went right 1st, held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders from 4 out, pushed along out wide before 2 out, lost modest 3rd at the last
chased winner throughout, staying on same pace and held when carried slightly left by winner run-in
well in rear, jumped slowly 2nd, never a factor, tailed off
mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders 6th, ridden and weakened after 2 out
chased leaders on inside, awkward 2 out, weakened before the last
off the pace in last pair, never involved
mid-division on inside, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and unable to quicken between last two, went 3rd at the last, no chance with leading duo
never closer than mid-division, jumped slowly 4th, pushed along and lost place before 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened soon after next, tailed off
off the pace in last trio on inside, headway approaching 2 out, plugged on run-in, never threatened
made all, good jump to assert last, ridden out and hung left run-in, driven out
Prince Imperial is race-fit but placed efforts at Newton Abbot and Sedgefield don’t suggest he’ll be up to making much of an impact in what is a competitive novices’ handicap while conditions will probably be too testing for Estacas, fifth in the Queen Alexandra at the Royal meeting here in June. Kelso winner Idem is improving at a rate of knots but has a big weight to carry, though Conner McCann claims 8lb. Freddie Gordon is good value for his 6lb claim in a race like this and he partners IMMORTAL, who is still held in high regard despite finding one too good in both runs to date over timber. He’s had wind surgery since last seen. Ed Keeper progressed with every run last season and looks a danger.
Idem (FR) 4-5fav (11-7) Midfield, shaken up after 2 out (usual 3 out), challenging after last (usual 2 out), soon went clear, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in Sep beating Sean Og (11-0) by 9 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ed Keeper (FR) 5-6fav (11-7) Prominent, led 3 out, joined 2 out, headed last, soon led again, stayed on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Mar beating No But I Will (11-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Young Merlin (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, mistake 6th, soon struggling, behind after next, pulled up before last, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Sep.
Awaythelad (IRE) 11-8 (11-5) Chased winner throughout, went badly left 1st, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, 2 lengths down 2 out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, clear 2nd, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Kansas Du Berlais (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
Saladam (FR) 11-8fav (11-6) Led at steady pace, joined approaching 2 out, good jump to extend advantage 2 out, ridden flat, kept on, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Apr beating A Definite Getaway (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Estacas (GER) 50-1 (9-2) Went right start, held up in last pair, pushed along over 5f out, outpaced and struggling turning in, ridden and weakened 3f out, tailed off, last of 6, 22 1/2l behind Yibir (9-2) at Sandown 2m lst (1) gd in Jul.
Immortal (FR) 10-11fav (11-2) Raced keenly, chased winner, pushed along and hit 2 out, stayed on same pace and well held, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 7 1/2l behind Givega (12-0) at Sandown 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Prince Imperial (USA) 4-1 (12-0) Mid-division, chased leaders 5th, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last where not fluent, ran on one pace, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Zwicky (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
John W Creasy (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, ridden in 7th 2 out, 6th at last, kept on one pace, 5th of 19, 11 1/4l behind Top Speed (11-4) at Down Royal 2m 1f mdn Yielding in May.
Lipa K (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden and held bypassing omitted last, kept on, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Myristica (12-2) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Rebel Intentions (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Prominent, outpaced when awkward 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Aviewofthestars (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
