towards rear of mid-division, closer 4 out, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, weakened before next
pulled hard towards rear on inside, steady headway after 3 out, hung left and weakened between last 2, blundered last
on his toes, steadied start, held up in rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders, went 2nd at the last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
keen in mid-division on inside, smooth headway tracking leaders, 2nd 3 out, led going well next, clear before last, stayed on well
keen chasing leaders on inside, lost place after 3 out, weakened soon after
towards rear, reminders after 4 out, never on terms
raced keenly, made most until 2 out, lost 2nd at the last, stayed on pressing for 2nd run-in, no chance with winner
wandered into 1st, chased leaders, outpaced between last 2, kept on run-in
mid-division, pushed along and struggling after 4 out, soon beaten, tailed off
raced keenly, wandered into 1st, mostly chased leader until pushed along 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, 3rd before next, went 2nd briefly between last 2, weakened before the last
towards rear, mistake 2nd, behind next, never on terms with leaders after, plugged on
NonRunner
Despite a penalty, last week’s Fontwell winner Vorashann is still potentially well treated and has fitness on his side. However, this is a much deeper contest and top-heavy with four-year-olds who have the scope to go on to better things. One is French import Running D'Or but the handicapper has taken no chances with him. Langer Dan won his first two starts as a juvenile and was last seen finishing sixth in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, well ahead of Thyme White, Goa Lil, Group Stage and Fraser Island. BLACKO was joint favourite for that race but was never travelling and pulled up on the home turn. Something was clearly amiss that day and he holds The Pink'n on earlier form so gets the chance to make amends. Goobinator didn’t do a lot wrong last season and has had a pipe-opener on the Flat so can get into contention.
Langer Dan (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway and switched left before last, unable to challenge, kept on same pace final 150 yards, 6th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Aramax (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Blacko (FR) 5-1jfav (11-5) Mid-division on inside, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
The Pink'n 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when switched right to challenge approaching last, led flat, ran on, won at Stratford 2m 3f (3) sft in Mar beating Zarafshan (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Thyme White (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway approaching 4th, ridden home bend, beaten when mistake last, weakened, 15th of 22, 21 1/4l behind Aramax (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Fraser Island (IRE) 9-2fav (9-11) Led until over 10f out, remained handy, led again inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed 50 yards out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Alborkan (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
Group Stage (GER) 50-1 (11-1) Always in rear, 17th of 22, 25 1/2l behind Aramax (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Goa Lil (FR) 80-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 16th of 22, 24 1/4l behind Aramax (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Goobinator (USA) 9-1 (9-5) Led, 5 lengths clear halfway, lead reduced when ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 9 1/2l behind Make My Day (9-13) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Vorashann (FR) 3-1fav (10-13) In touch on outside, closed 3rd, led before 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating Shut The Box (10-11) by 15l, 10 ran.
Olympic Honour (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 15, 24 1/4l behind Dance King (10-12) at Ripon 1m 3f hcp (6) sft in Aug.
Hasankey (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) In rear, slight progress after 4 out, ridden to challenge before 2 out, could not quicken, 7th of 11, 12 1/4l behind I'd Better Go Now (10-9) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Maskada (FR) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, blundered badly 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 14 1/2l behind The Pink'n (11-4) at Stratford 2m 3f (3) sft in Mar.
Running D'or (FR) (10-5) won at Cagnes-sur-mer Midi 2m 1f lst in Jan beating Volkov Jelois (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
