always behind, unseated rider 2 out
led, headed after 4th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 3 out, ridden and lost place before 2 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, headway before 4th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, regained lead run-in, all out
towards rear, pushed along 5th, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, ridden before last, headed run-in, no extra
towards rear, pushed along before 4th, plugged on to take 3rd run-in, no impression
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, one pace and lost 3rd place run-in
Astrum showed promise last season, finishing second at Market Rasen and Sandown. He has to be on the short-list here and it's no surprise that Jason Maguire prefers him to unraced stablemate Mr Hopeful. But James Ewart is also double-handed and his ASSIREM could give the McCain gelding plenty to think about. The testing ground will suit the French import, who has already won over fences and ran well in decent company at Auteuil when last seen. Divine Port won a Kelso bumper in September and was only beaten a neck under a penalty here last month so is also interesting.
Arrak (GER) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 11th approaching straight, soon no impression, kept on without threatening, 7th of 22, 19l behind Wickham Street (11-12) at Cork 2m 5yo mdn hdl gd in May '09.
Assirem (FR) (10-7) 3rd of 6, 4l behind Epicea (10-5) at Auteuil(FR) 2m 1f 4yo chs sft in Apr.
Astrum 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leading pair, pushed along and slightly outpaced between last 2, rallied and switched left run-in, took 2nd final 75 yards, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Dormello Mo (11-8) at Sandown 2m (3) sft in Mar.
Divine Port (USA) 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, just held close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Mr Steadfast (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Oct.
Mr Hopeful (IRE) Helissio gelding out of Lisadian Lady.
Scorpions Sting (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when hampered last, 5th of 8, 36l behind Titus Bolt (11-2) at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Willie Whistle 100-1 (10-6) Held up, ridden 5th, kept on from 2 out, never a threat, 3rd of 12, 34l behind Spanish Fleet (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Dalby Spook (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) In rear, not fluent 5th, 7th and no impression 3 out, 7th of 12, 38l behind Hurricane Hollow (11-4) at Ayr 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Oct.
