Woodford County is back on the same mark as when successful in this marathon 12 months ago. Barton Gift was pulled up last year so looks held, though the top weight prefers much softer going. Cyclop finished ahead of Finish The Story and Woodford County at Fontwell and, though only five, looks a real stayer. Dancing Shadow has the ability to figure and Vice Et Vertu will have gained plenty of confidence from an easy win at Ludlow but Bears Rails was disappointing when favourite at Chepstow on his reappearance and finished behind What Larks at that track in March. UMBERTO D'OLIVATE was only third behind Barton Gift over track and trip in April but can reverse that form on this quicker surface with a recent win here over 3m confirming his liking for this course. Thegreendalerocket won at Chepstow in October but the second has been beaten twice since and this trip may stretch his stamina.
Woodford County 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, reminder after 9th, outpaced before 3 out, beaten when blundered badly next, tailed off, 9th of 15, dist behind Aerial (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Cyclop (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to take 3rd after last, not reach front pair, 3rd of 15, 6 1/4l behind Aerial (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Dancing Shadow (IRE) 9-2fav (11-10) Towards rear, ridden after 5 out, headway before 2 out, went 4th from last, one pace, 4th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Royal Palladium (11-9) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Gary Charm (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon outpaced, 7th of 15, 15 1/2l behind Court King (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Thegreendalerocket (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 15th, made most after, driven 3 out, clear next, ridden out flat, won at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Iora Glas (10-13) by 3l, 10 ran.
Umberto D'olivate (FR) 7-2 (11-10) Made all, ridden before 4 out, clear before last, won at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Replacement Plan (10-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Barton Gift 20-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, outpaced from 9th, 10th of 17, dist behind Achimota (11-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Bears Rails Evensfav (11-12) With winner, led 5 out, headed 4 out, held in 3rd and one pace from before 2 out, last of 4, 16 1/2l behind Phangio (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Royal Native (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, soon headed, one pace in 4th before last, 4th of 19, 24l behind Emerging Force (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up, switched to race on outside before 7th, headway 10th, 2nd 13th, led before 3 out, clear from next, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Mister Dick (11-0) by 12l, 9 ran.
Finish The Story (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, hampered 3rd, headway to challenge when left in narrow lead 4 out, headed before next, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 15, 36 1/2l behind Aerial (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
What Larks (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 5 out, not fluent next, kept on same pace, never on terms, lost modest 4th last, 5th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Thegreendalerocket (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
The Clyda Rover (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Always behind, 10th of 13, 36 1/4l behind Desert Sensation (11-6) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
