always towards rear, never a factor
held up, pushed along and outpaced from 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leader, went on approaching 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra flat
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
mid-division, headway going well home turn, ridden to lead approaching last, stayed on flat, always holding on
held up, struggling from 7th, tailed off
mid-division on inside, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, headway on outside approaching last, went 2nd flat, kept on well without threatening
NonRunner
Edwardstone was one of last season’s leading novices winning five times, including two Grade 1 contests. But he faces no easy task here giving away lumps of weight to some seasoned handicappers. Thyme White was impressive here three weeks ago, beating FRERO BANBOU and Before Midnight with Amoola Gold unplaced. But the runner-up is 7lb better off for under five lengths and may have hit the front too soon that day so can reverse placings. This is a big step up in class for So Scottish and Boothill but the latter is unexposed and none of the others can’t be ruled out with Kiltealy Briggs back to his best at Market Rasen last month and Third Time Lucki better than he showed at Exeter.
Third Time Lucki (IRE) 7-5fav (10-11) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, closed to press for 2nd when mistake 4 out, soon beaten, weakening when not fluent 2 out, lost 3rd before last, 4th of 5, 28 1/2l behind Greaneteen (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Thyme White (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, went 4th 4 out, travelling strongly led after 2 out, forged on and jumped left last, pushed out run-in, comfortably, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Oct beating Frero Banbou (11-6) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
Before Midnight 13-2 (11-11) Prominent, hit 1st, pressed leader 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, no extra and well held run-in, 3rd of 8, 11 1/4l behind Thyme White (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Frero Banbou (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, led 7th, hit 3 out, shaken up and faced challenge 2 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on, no match for winner, 2nd of 8, 4 3/4l behind Thyme White (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Boothill (IRE) 13-8fav (11-6) Chased leaders, went second 4 out, led going well 2 out, went clear approaching last, reduced advantage flat, always in control, won at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Datsalrightgino (11-3) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Amoola Gold (GER) 13-2 (11-7) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling 7th, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Thyme White (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
So Scottish (FR) 8-15fav (11-8) Raced keenly, chased leader, not fluent 2nd, pecked next, lost 2nd after 4 out, pecked 3 out, went 2nd and mistake 2 out, switched right flat, led towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) gd in Oct beating Grand Voyage (11-2) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Edwardstone 4-7fav (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd just before 3 out, went left after 2 out, soon ridden along, unable to go with winner before last, held after, kept on, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Gentleman De Mee (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) gs in Apr.
Kiltealy Briggs (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Made all, faced challenge before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, kept on dourly and found extra towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Guy (10-9) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
