tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, led narrowly final 50 yards
pressed leader, led over 2f out, ridden and hard pressed entering final furlong, kept on, headed narrowly and no extra final 50 yards
led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression with front pair
tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost place inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, effort 2f out, ridden and lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
This is tricky given the Hannon team has won the last couple of runnings and both of today's representatives have leading claims. Musical Comedy returns to action having scored in soft ground at Newbury by five lengths in October. But Richard Hughes goes with EXPERT, runner-up in a competitive handicap at Newmarket a fortnight ago, and it could pay to stick with the champion jockey's choice. Mick's Yer Man has plenty to find with the selection on latest running while Speedfiend beat little of note to land the odds at Kempton and One Chance has it all to do on today's terms. Rufford has a shout on his second to Supplicant in the Mill Reef last season but Pontefract winner Danehill Revival is an unknown quantity at this level.
Expert (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Danzeno (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Mick's Yer Man 14-1 (8-12) Badly hampered start, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Danzeno (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Musical Comedy 11-8fav (9-13) Hampered start, held up, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, soon ridden to lead, stayed on well, clear when edged right final 100 yards, won at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct beating Heroique (8-5) by 5l, 8 ran.
Rufford (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 6l behind Night Of Thunder (9-1) at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Oct.
Speedfiend 1-33fav (9-2) Made all, drew clear approaching final furlong, very easily, won at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol beating Happydoingnothing (9-2) by 11l, 2 ran.
Danehill Revival 8-11fav (9-0) Quickly away, made all, pushed clear over 1f out, ran on well, easily, won at Pontefract 6f mdn fll stks (5) sft beating Two Smart (9-0) by 6l, 5 ran.
One Chance (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Keen prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 7l behind Magnus Maximus (9-5) at Newmarket 6f 3yo aut stk (2) gd.
