led until headed 4f out, soon weakened
soon tracking leader, led well over 1f out, ridden clear
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, lost place over 5f out
held up mid-division, lost place halfway
held up towards rear, headway 6f out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, lost place just after halfway, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon chasing leaders, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, soon one pace
Gold Award is selected ahead of Smoke And Mirrors with Tampa Boy and Athaliah perhaps the best of the remainder. Nicky Henderson's runners in bumpers must always be feared and this son of Daylami is no exception. He failed to make it to the racecourse when trained by Sir Michael Stoute but this beautifully bred individual can begin to make up for lost time this afternoon. Smoke And Mirrors is due to be Paddy Brennan's one ride on the card and Charles Egerton has won with three of his six runners at Fakenham in the last five years. That all points to a big run and he looks the part on paper. Those to have raced don't appear to be anything out of the ordinary and Gold Award has been found a decent opportunity to make a winning debut.
Tampa Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Close 2nd, led after halfway, ridden and strongly pressed straight, kept on well from over 1f out, all out, won at Cork 2m nhf gf in Sept beating Shamozzle (11-2) by a hd, 10 ran.
Gold Award Daylami gelding, brother to 1m2f winner Day of Reckoning, half-brother to numerous winners up to 1m5f including Group 2 winner Phantom Gold.
River Danube 50-1 (10-13) In rear, progress 6f out, ridden 4f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 6l behind Broomhill Flyer (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Athaliah 10-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, held up, headway on inside over 5f out, ridden and beaten 4f out, 7th of 12, 11l behind Gold Reef (10-3) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Crystal Stream (IRE) Dr Massini filly, half-sister to several winning jumpers.
Notoverdear 100-1 (10-4) Pushed along halfway, always towards rear, tailed off, last of 16, well behind Blencathra Bay (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Redd Ragusa 50-1 (10-3) Held up, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened, last of 11, well behind Charmaine Wood (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m mrs nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Cool Contender (IRE) Environment Friend gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Smoke And Mirrors Mujahid gelding, half-brother to 1m4f winner Beryl and sprinter Diamond Katie.
Robin des Bank (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, ridden 7f out, tailed off over 3f out, 11th of 19, well behind Charity Lane (10-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
