in touch, pushed along over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish
towards rear, wide and headway approaching final furlong, ridden to lead when edged left towards finish
raced wide held up, pushed along halfway, never a factor
in touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
raced wide in touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on
towards rear, ridden and switched left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms
Mick Appleby has won two of the last three renewals and will likely have RAASEL fully wound-up for this nice prize. The latter rattled-up a five-timer last autumn and can continue his good progress this year. Zarzyni returned a beaten favourite on the all-weather for the third time in a row last month and is 9lb higher than when going close in this last year. He finished ahead of Copper Knight and Justanotherbottle on that occasion but the former won at Doncaster in October with Dakota Gold, Makanah, Sunday Sovereign and Indian Sounds all well beaten. Fine Wine arrives in good form but looks vulnerable if the usual front-running tactics are employed.
Copper Knight (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to press leader inside final furlong, joined winner post, won at Doncaster 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct beating Boundless Power (8-12), 14 ran.
Dakota Gold 7-1 (9-3) Prominent, led 5f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd soon after, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 9 3/4l behind King's Lynn (9-6) at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) sft in Nov.
Justanotherbottle (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Went left start, led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 6th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Volatile Analyst (9-8) at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) gs in Mar.
Zarzyni (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Keen in rear, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Whittle Le Woods (8-2) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Sunday Sovereign 14-1 (9-1) Dwelt close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Copper Knight (9-3) at Doncaster 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Makanah 40-1 (9-3) Held up and behind, headway between horses chasing leaders over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 5l behind King's Lynn (9-6) at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) sft in Nov.
Raasel 5-6fav (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and switched left over 2f out, ran on strongly to lead just inside final furlong, kept on, won at Nottingham 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Sir Titus (8-9) by nk, 8 ran.
Indian Sounds (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Led on near side rail, headed halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Night On Earth (8-11) at Newcastle 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Fine Wine (FR) 6-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed just over 1f out, held by winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Rayong (8-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Call Me Ginger 17-2 (8-13) Stumbled badly leaving stalls, soon recovered chasing leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Magical Spirit (9-4) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Be Proud (IRE) 4-1 (9-12) Keen held up, pushed along and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Rolfe Rembrandt (9-5) at Newcastle 5f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
