towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
tracked leader until groups merged halfway, tracked leaders, ridden when weakened over 1f out
always in rear
in touch, headway 2f out, edged left and led approaching final furlong, ridden clear
held up, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
close up, ridden over 2f out, faded towards finish
led two others and slightly wide of main group until merged with centre group halfway, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led main group in centre until groups merged halfway and headed, chased leader, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
close up, edged left over 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked slightly wide leader, led halfway when groups merged, ridden 3 lengths clear over 2f out, edged right and headed approaching final furlong, no extra
held up, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms
The Hannon yard has a good record in this and run a couple with BEAT LE BON preferred to the returning Topical. The former has a recent facile novice win under his belt and is fancied to reverse last year’s form at Doncaster with Happy Power re-opposing on much better terms. The latter was raised 10lb for that success while Sparklealot and Reeves also return to action off higher marks having ended last year on a winning note. Blonde Warrior encounters soft going for the first time but Shallow Hal will relish the underfoot conditions on his comeback racing over 7f for the first time. A winner at Epsom in September, Hackle Setter is upped in class today while Chairmanoftheboard makes his handicap debut after finishing fourth in a decent conditions race at Kempton last month.
Chairmanoftheboard (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, steadied over 6f out, effort over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Jahbath (9-5) at Kempton 1m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Beat Le Bon (FR) 1-10fav (8-9) Made all, left clear bend into straight 2f out, pushed out, comfortable, won at Lingfield 6f stks (5) pol in Mar beating Hey Ho Let's Go (8-9) by 9l, 3 ran.
Blonde Warrior (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) In rear and in touch, headway over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on and just held close home, 2nd of 5, nk behind Fox Coach (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (2) pol in Sep.
Happy Power (IRE) 11-4 (8-9) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Doncaster 7f (3) gs in Oct beating Beat Le Bon (9-7) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Tulfarris (8-13) 6th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Hot Team (8-13) at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 1m lst stks gd in Oct.
Shallow Hal 4-1jfav (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on well closing stages, never reached winner, 2nd of 16, nk behind My Boy Lewis (8-6) at Doncaster 6f (4) sft in Nov.
Lincoln Park 7-2 (9-1) Disputed lead until ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 9 1/2l behind Happy Power (8-9) at Doncaster 7f (3) gs in Oct.
Sparklealot (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Made all, ridden 2f out, soon hung left to stand side rail, driven out, won at Goodwood 7f (4) sft in Oct beating Extreme Force (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Tin Hat (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Hold Still (8-13) at Kempton 7f (4) pol in Nov.
Reeves 11-2 (9-5) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead close home when hung left, won at Doncaster 7f mdn stks (5) gs in Oct beating Solid Stone (9-5) by nk, 13 ran.
Wasntexpectingthat 10-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, soon raced in 6th, effort straight, one pace 1f out, 4th of 16, 5 1/2l behind Never No More (9-7) at Naas 7f hcp Yielding - Soft in Mar.
Topical 11-8fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Nayslayer (8-3) at Chelmsford City 6f (2) pol in Sep.
Hackle Setter (USA) 7-1 (9-0) In touch, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Epsom 7f (4) gd in Sep beating Winter Gleam (8-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Lihou 16-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 13th of 16, 7 1/4l behind My Boy Lewis (8-6) at Doncaster 6f (4) sft in Nov.
