made all, not fluent 2nd, ridden approaching last, edged right flat, held on well
held up in mid-division, not fluent 3rd, effort approaching 2 out, soon beaten, weakened before last
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, went 2nd before 2 out until approaching last, went 2nd again flat, stayed on
held up in rear, not fluent and ridden 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in mid-division, headway 6th, 4th and ridden 2 out, weakened last
tracked leading trio, jumped right at times, went 2nd approaching last, not able to trouble winner, lost 2nd flat stayed on
tracked winner, took keen hold, pecked 2nd, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, ridden after 6th, soon well beaten
Tuscan Gold and Zarzal should be winning soon but this is a hot contest for the time of year. Hawkshill hasn't done much wrong over the summer but Once More Dubai's Plumpton win last month has already been franked and he should enjoy this sharp track and good ground. Polar Kite and Roberto Pegasus are both interesting newcomers but Charlie Longsdon thinks a lot of SPIRIT OF SHANKLY, who gets a tentative vote. It's always dangerous to equate bumper form to hurdles but the four-year-old has hardly come off the bridle in winning at Stratford and Market Rasen and his pace will be an asset if he handles the obstacles.
Hawkhill (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden after 7th, 2 lengths 2nd when blundered 2 out, no chance with winner after, one pace, 2nd of 9, 25l behind Hi Note (10-9) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Sep.
Once More Dubai (USA) 2-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway to 4th before 3 out, tracked leader soon after, led on bit approaching last, soon clear, very easily, won at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep beating Dubai Glory (10-2) by 8l, 12 ran.
Princely Player (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Held up in touch, went 2nd before 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well, pushed out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in May beating King Edmund (10-9) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Polar Kite (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 17th of 19, 46l behind Sam Nombulist (8-8) at York 7f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Jun (flat).
Roberto Pegasus (USA) 5-2fav (9-3) Held up in touch, led well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun beating Luggers Hall (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran (flat).
Spirit Of Shankly 8-11fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f cond NH flat (6) gd in Sep beating Great Roar (10-7) by 9l, 7 ran.
Tuscan Gold 3-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 8th, 4th and jumped left from 3 out, stayed on same pace, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Coronea Lilly (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Zarzal (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, some headway on inside after 4 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out, just held for 4th, no chance with leaders, 5th of 11, 24l behind Grumeti (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) gs in Apr.
