prominent in 3rd, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along over 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off 3f out
prominent, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, held on towards finish
held up in touch, pushed along and weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd place inside final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace and no impression from over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on and held towards finish
always towards rear, tailed off from over 2f out
led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
Nonrunner
AIKEN completed a hat-trick within a month last summer and, though his final victory wasn't in the best handicap staged at Ascot, he still showed signs of inexperience. He's the type to do much better this year and can continue his winning sequence. Vasily won his maiden in impressive fashion at Bath and begins his handicap career on a handy mark while Shesha Bear completed a remarkable C&D hat-trick last summer and wasn't beaten far here on her attempt at a four-timer. Communicator ran at a high level after landing a handicap at York over this trip and is on the short-list along with Ithoughtitwasover who, though beaten on his all-weather debut by Midsummer Sun at Lingfield still ran a fine race.
Ithoughtitwasover (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) In touch, headway 2f out, soon chased winner, soon ridden, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Midsummer Sun (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Hung Parliament (FR) 14-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden 3f out, kept on towards finish, never a factor, 5th of 8, 4l behind George Guru (8-4) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol in Mar.
Aiken 15-8fav (9-2) Dwelt raced wide in rear, quick move to go 3rd halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and idled inside final furlong, won at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul beating Masaraat (9-6) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Life And Soul (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Pulled hard, held up, short of room over 5f out, switched right 3f out, not troubled leaders, 11th of 20, 14l behind Crackentorp (9-4) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Aug.
Communicator 20-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 15, 14l behind Barbican (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Handicap (Heritage) (3yo) (2) gd in Sep.
Romeo Montague 20-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 2l behind Charles Camoin (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Gosbeck 7-1fav (9-5) In rear, pushed along 4f out, headway on outer 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 15, 2l behind Jiwen (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct.
First Avenue 14-1 (9-1) Held up, headway to track leaders over 4f out, pressed winner from over 3f out, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Gilded Age (8-10) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Shesha Bear 4-1 (9-5) Raced wide held up, headway between horses over 2f out, ridden and every chance when short of room inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Gunslinger (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f app hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sep.
Unex Renoir 18-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 12, well behind Shubaat (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Jehanbux (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Steadied start, switched right, always in rear, 14th of 16, 11l behind Charles Camoin (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Vasily 20-1 (9-3) Keen prominent, led halfway, headed over 4f out, led again 3f out, ridden over 1f out, pushed out, readily, won at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Oct beating Asaid (9-3) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
