held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon led, kept on well
held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 5f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, headed over 5f out, regained lead over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division and keen, lost place over 5f out, hampered over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression
towards rear, kept on final furlong, no impression
held up mid-division and keen, ridden over 1f out, no headway
slowly away, in rear, ridden over 1f out, soon headway, kept on towards finish
Not one favourite has won this in nine years. John Caesar arrives with top weight due to his close second at Kempton in October when trained by Jeremy Noseda. Naoise is more at home on the all-weather but ran better than his finishing position suggests in an amateur's race at York last time. Pearl Ransom has only won on Polytrack and was beaten in a seller at Leicester last month and Royal Holiday is more at home at Southwell. Ruth Carr has done a brilliant job with CONO ZUR since claiming him after he won a seller in 2010 and he's now won eight times for the yard. He's only moderate but fast ground suits and he's won off higher marks so looks the one to be on. The inconsistent Iggy would have a chance if at his best with his rider's claim a bonus.
John Caesar (IRE) 13-8 (9-1) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Semaral (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Naoise (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, not much room 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 15, 6l behind Westwood Hoe (11-2) at York 7f am hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Wu Zetian 16-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, faded final furlong, 10th of 13, 7l behind Al's Memory (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Disclosure 11-1 (9-7) Keen, close up, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 5l behind Birdman (9-7) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Pearl Ransom (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 10, 4l behind Reggie Bond (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4).
Royal Holiday (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 5f out, chased leader, led 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Dutch Descent (9-2) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
He's My Boy (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Close up, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Royal Caper (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Cono Zur (FR) 10-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind So It's War (8-13) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Munaawib 6-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten over 1f out, last of 11, 12l behind Woodbridge (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) in Mar.
Nixyba 16-1 (9-2) Always in rear, last of 12, 29l behind Fruit Pastille (9-3) at Lingfield 1m mdn hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jul.
Iggy 25-1 (8-7) Pressed leader, outpaced 2f out, soon lost place weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 16l behind Woody Bay (9-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Icy Blue 6-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased before pulling up, in a race won by Broctune Papa Gio (9-0) at Redcar 7f app hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep, 14 ran.
