chased leaders on inside, pushed along 3f out, switched out 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken turning in, stayed on inside final furlong, never any chance with winner
tracked leader, led entering final 4f, quickened pace and went clear 2f out, in no danger after
raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, outpaced by winner 2f out, well held when hung left final furlong
chased leaders, starting to lose place when hampered on rail and snatched up over 2f out
raced keenly tracking leaders, pushed along and wide home turn, soon ridden and weakened
pulled hard, tracking leaders on inside when hampered and lost place after 1f, towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
led and dictated slow pace, headed entering final 4f, pushed along 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced keenly and always towards rear
off the pace in last pair, some late moderate headway, never on terms
towards rear, closer in mid-division out wide when carried wide home turn, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
Countless possibilities in this with the surface an unknown for most. Swapped and Gentle Fire were course and distance winners last month, however, with the latter overcoming inexperience to get the better of Zucayan and All About Logan. Carrigdoun Boy, Our Jester and Herecomesfreddie were other winners last time with German raider Estacas and Emmet Mullins’ So Scottish adding to the interest. Fergal O’Brien has a runner but Paddy Brennan rides LEGIONAR for in-form Milton Harris and the four-year-old didn’t do a lot wrong in Listed company at Cheltenham last time after opening his account at Aintree.
Estacas (GER) 3-1fav (10-13) Held up in mid-division, pushed along and outpaced over 4f out, rallied on inside over 2f out, ridden in 3rd and edged left inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong to lead final 100 yards, comfortably, won at Ascot 2m (4) sft in Oct beating Chianti Classico (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Our Jester 11-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along and led over 2f out, drew 5 lengths clear 1f out, kept on final furlong, easily, won at Ascot 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Dream In The Park (11-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
Swapped (FR) 2-1jfav (11-0) Raced keenly, chased leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, edging left when ridden and rallied out wide over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Dec beating Bobby Socks (11-0) by 2l, 7 ran.
All About Logan 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, waiting for room under 3f out, slightly short of room under 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on steadily, 4th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Gentle Fire (10-7) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Dec.
Hurricane Deal (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Raced handy, ridden 3f out, plugged on one pace, 8th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Libberty Hunter (11-7) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Dec.
So Scottish (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Rear of mid-division, ran freely, 4th 3f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 16, 22 3/4l behind Facile Vega (11-11) at Leopardstown 2m sft in Dec.
Zucayan (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Mid-division, headway under 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, kept on but no match for winner closing stages, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Gentle Fire (10-7) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Dec.
Gentle Fire 16-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, reminder under 3f out, headway under 2f out but still plenty to do, switched right over 1f and soon closed well, quickened to lead well inside final furlong and won going away, won at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Dec beating Zucayan (11-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Herecomesfreddie 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 6f out, well behind over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, finished well to lead towards finish, won at Huntingdon 1m 6f (5) gd in Nov beating A Shining Moon (10-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Legionar (GER) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, outpaced 3f out, no impression after, kept on, 6th of 15, 10 1/2l behind Poetic Music (10-5) at Cheltenham 1m 6f lst (1) sft in Jan.
Honore Telescope gelding out of Saint Honore.
Carrigdoun Boy (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Front mid-division, shaken up and headway well over 2f out, ridden and pressed leaders 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, stayed on well, always doing enough, won at Southwell 2m (5) gd in Nov beating Supreme Gift (11-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Deere Mark 10-3fav (11-0) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, plugged on at one pace, 9th of 14, 28 3/4l behind Marco Island (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Dec.
