chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, hit 4 out and pushed along, outpaced soon after next, no threat after
took keen hold in touch, pushed along in 5th and one pace before 2 out
chased winner until after 3 out, pushed along and one pace in 4th before next, dropped to 5th close home
always towards rear
held up, smooth headway from 3 out, chased winner travelling well before 2 out, challenged and went slightly left 2 out, soon hung left and driven, chance last, kept on same pace run-in
mid-division on outside, weakened before 4 out, soon behind
held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out until before next, hit 2 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd
mid-division, weakened 4 out, mistake next, tailed off
held up towards rear, driven after 3 out, plugged on from next, went modest 4th close home
always towards rear
took keen hold in mid-division, weakened after 3 out
made all, pressed from 2 out, driven and kept on well from last
towards rear, plugged on approaching 2 out, never on terms
Nonrunner
A tricky opener as I'dliketheoption and Antony, first and second at Fontwell in August, appear closely matched on that run. Amidon was unlucky not to open his account last season and should put that right at some stage this time around. Singlefarmpayment was also knocking on the door last term and is another who should be winning sooner rather than later. Do We Like Him won at Exeter earlier this month but is 10lb higher here while Tanit River couldn't cope with a revised mark when attempting a hat-trick at Cheltenham in April. Masterplan could go well dropped in trip, though Bekkensfirth and ROMULUS DU DONJON are preferred. The former looked ready for further when third at Worcester recently but the latter gets the nod having just failed to give 7lb to a progressive sort at Fakenham.
Antony (FR) 7-1 (10-9) With leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 9, 6 1/2l behind After Eight Sivola (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Amidon (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, challenged and every chance last, soon ridden, one pace flat, 3rd of 19, 10 1/4l behind Roll On Ruby (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
I'dliketheoption (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up in last, pair smooth headway on inside tracking leaders approaching 2 out, 2nd at the last, stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gs in Aug beating Antony (11-5) by nk, 9 ran.
Romulus Du Donjon (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Led, headed 3rd, tracked leader, led again 4 out, ridden and hit 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Wings Attract (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Kings Cross (FR) 12-1 (11-0) 3rd of 15, 4 3/4l behind Orange Run (10-12) at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Sep.
Singlefarmpayment 13-2fav (11-7) Chased clear leader, jumped right 5th and 6th, closed next, challenged 3 out, edged right and led last, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Fleet Dawn (11-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Eminent Poet 16-1 (10-5) Prominent, led after 3rd, headed after 7th, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Alzammaar (10-2) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Bekkensfirth 6-1fav (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd when not fluent last, kept on, no impression on leading pair, 3rd of 10, 7 1/2l behind Wishfull Dreaming (10-12) at Worcester 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Bilbrook Blaze 5-2fav (11-0) Led until ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 9, dist behind Mercers Court (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Charlie Cook (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd behind clear leader after 5th until outpaced before 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 7, 20 1/4l behind John Constable (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Apr.
Tanit River (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway on outside 8th, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, no impression before last, 8th of 19, 25l behind Roll On Ruby (10-3) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Do We Like Him (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, held up and behind, outpaced 7th, headway on outside approaching 3 out, 2nd next, led narrowly last, hung badly left run-in, stayed on under pressure, won at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Our Folly (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Noble Friend (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Held up, mistake 5th, outpaced 8th, last when fell 3 out, at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Masterplan (IRE) 9-2fav (10-12) Chased clear leader after 1st, closed to lead after 3rd, headed next, led again 5th, driven and headed last, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Mont Choisy (11-12) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Looks Like Power (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place next, pulled up before 3 out, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Bare Necessities (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Disputed lead until 2nd, tracked leaders, challenging when not fluent 3 out, led before next, headed approaching last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Royal Sea (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
