tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 3 out, led 2 out, ridden before and blundered badly last, soon headed and not recover, one pace towards finish
in touch in 5th, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened before 4 out
tracked leaders in 4th, one pace from 2 out
towards rear, struggling before 5 out
always towards rear, weakened before 4 out
led, mistake 4th, headed 2 out, looking held in 2nd before last, led soon after, kept on
held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden 2 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out
tracked winner, mistake 2 out, held in 4th when fell last
held up mid-division, ridden 2 out, one pace and no impression
held up mid-division, ridden 3 out, never a factor
DIAMOND KING was a ready winner on his hurdling debut at Wetherby and sets the standard here, despite carrying a penalty. There looks to be plenty more to come from Donald McCain's unbeaten gelding. Goohar may be the one to chase him home having finished third over course and debut on his debut last month. Stablemates Royal Palladium and Torgamah Lad have hinted at ability while Masquerade has gone close in a couple of bumpers but Devil's Dyke and Murtys Delight aren't improving.
Diamond King (IRE) 3-10fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway before 3 out, led 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Secrete Stream (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Clubs Are Trumps (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders early, gradually lost place, slow 2nd and 3rd, soon behind, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Neston Grace (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Devil's Dyke (USA) 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, no impression, 8th of 16, 22l behind My Guardian Angel (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Goohar (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) With winner, ridden and lost 2nd place before last, no extra, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Irish Cavalier (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Grand Gigolo (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, never involved, 12th of 18, 42l behind Garde La Victoire (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Highpower (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, headway approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat, never dangerous, 6th of 18, 31l behind Garde La Victoire (11-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Masquerade (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led over 6f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Prouts Pub (11-0) at Lingfield 2m n h flat (6) std in Nov.
Murtys Delight (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden before last, weakened run-in, 5th of 12, 15l behind Diamond King (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Rocky Stone (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 24l behind Mr Utah (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Royal Palladium (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, left in modest 4th at last, 4th of 7, 17l behind The Last Samuri (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Six One Away (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 45l behind Irish Cavalier (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Storm Of Swords (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place 3f out, 9th of 13, 32l behind Red Sherlock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m Listed NH flat (1) gd in Nov.
Sukiyaki (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd before straight, soon lost place and no impression, kept on same pace, 8th of 17, 15l behind Toe The Line (11-0) at Listowel 2m 4yo nhf in Sep.
Torgamah Lad (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, in touch in mid-division, not fluent 1st, lost place before 5th, ridden and effort before 3 out, no impression, 7th of 15, 22l behind Free Thinking (10-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Western Movie 20-1 (10-12) Took keen hold tracking leaders, pulled way up to track clear leader after 2nd, hit 4 out, lost 2nd before mistake and weakened 3 out, 5th of 8, well behind Sgt Reckless (10-12) at Kempton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov.
