tracked leaders, driven to challenge approaching 3 out, under pressure when not fluent next, stayed on to go 3rd after last
chased leaders, effort when not fluent last, faded flat
held up in touch, driven to challenge 2 out, soon one pace
pulled hard in rear, mistake 3rd, never dangerous
always prominent, led after 4 out, hard driven when strongly challenged closing stages, just held on
mid-division, weakened 3 out
behind, mistake 5th, headway 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, headway 2 out, soon chasing winner, stayed on strongly towards finish, just failed
always behind, not fluent 2nd, never a factor
led until just after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 4th, soon under pressure, behind when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
Black Pond was beaten less than four lengths by Fire Fighter at Warwick last month and the winner went close under a penalty at Sandown last week. Ardlui stepped up on a promising debut to score at Newbury in December and that form has also been franked, while Blue Destination was second to Tarantella Lady over C&D before filling the same spot behind Scoglio at Wetherby and should be winning soon. EAGLE ROCK deserves a change of luck, however, and the fact that he finished 18 lengths clear of Saturday's impressive Ascot winner Bourne at Musselburgh last time earns him the nomination today. Indian Emperor and Kian's Delight can improve on their first run and look the pick of the remainder.
Ardlui (IRE) 4-5fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway when mistake and hampered 5th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden approaching last, led flat, all out, won at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Tango De Juilley (11-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Black Pond (USA) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Fire Fighter (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Blue Destination 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 3rd after 4 out, ridden before next, went 2nd soon after 3 out, stayed on same pace and no chance with winner from next, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Scoglio (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Circus Star (USA) 40-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 5th, ridden when jumped left 3 out, stayed on from next, never nearer, 4th of 9, 8l behind Boston Blue (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Eagle Rock (IRE) 10-11fav (10-4) Held up in touch, headway to join winner after 4 out, led narrowly approaching 2 out until last, ridden and kept on flat, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Kaolak (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Goodness 28-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, well behind Creekside (10-9) at Catterick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Indian Emperor (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, mistake 5th, some headway after next, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 16l behind West Brit (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo hdl (3) gs.
Kian's Delight 9-1 (10-12) Prominent, weakened from 3 out, 4th of 7, 15l behind Ulis De Vassy (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Mojolika 15-2 (8-11) Raced freely, led after 2f, soon 10 lengthes clear, hung badly right over 7f out, soon headed, weakened quickly, eased over 4f out, last of 6, well behind Boss's Destination (9-10) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Aug (flat).
Oakwell (IRE) 11-4 (8-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 8l behind Smart Violetta (8-2) at Hamilton 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul (flat).
One Of Twins 80-1 (11-0) Behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Scoglio (10-11) at Wetherby 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Auburn Lady 80-1 (10-12) In rear, jump badly right 2nd, badly hampered and jumped slow 3rd, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Dubawi Dancer (10-12) at Doncaster 2m juv flls mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Beyeh (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) In rear effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 12l behind Rasheed (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec (flat).
Roodee Giant (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Always behind, 15th of 16, well behind Chancery (10-12) at Haydock 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) gs in Nov.
School For Scandal (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Keen hold, soon prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, hard driven 4 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out, faded, 5th of 9, 33l behind Hollow Tree (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3yo hdl Grd 1 (1) hvy in Dec.
