held up mid-division, pushed along after 5th, ridden and weakened approaching next
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, headway 2 out, stayed on from last
held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on from last
held up, weakened from 3 out
held up, tracked leaders approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on from last, not pace of winner
chased leader, weakened approaching 3 out
soon led, headed 3 out, weakened approaching next
led early, remained close up weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, under pressure 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well driven out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on from last
held up, headway after 3 out, went 2nd last, one pace
held up, headway to chase leaders when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
Nonrunner
With Nicky Henderson's team in such good from there is bound to be plenty of support for Fairyland but he has found two too good in both starts this term and may again have to settle for minor honours with preference for SHAMARI, who gets the vote over Nampour. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding won well when successful at Aintree last month and he has to be respected but an 8lb rise for that success leaves him with a tough task to follow up and he may have to settle for a place at best. Dani's Girl has won each of her last two starts but she too has gone up 8lbs for her most recent success and looks best watched now. Alan King's Silk Hall should come on for his reappearance fourth behind Starluck at Cheltenham last month but needs to, while Know The Law represents the in-from stable of Nicky Henderson but he has harshly gone up 3lbs since his most recent start at Stratford in June. Trafalgar Road won well enough at Haydock earlier this month and a 5lb rise for that is perfectly fair so he cannot be discounted but preference is for Shamari. Unplaced in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle when last seen, the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding looks well treated for his reappearance in this handicap and, with ground conditions to suit, he looks worth backing.
Silk Hall (UAE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, closed on inside when not much room 2 out, beaten last, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 17l behind Starluck (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4yo hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Nampour (FR) 9-2fav (10-12) Held up, headway 3 out, went second between last 2, soon ridden, led last, driven out, won at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct beating European Dream (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Micheal Flips (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Close up in 4th, slightly lost place on inside 4 out, driven and outpaced next, stayed on approaching 2 out, driven and kept on well flat, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Shamari (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hit 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 13th of 20, 30l behind Go Native (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Frontier Dancer (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Always prominent, driven to lead last, hung right under pressure flat, ridden out, won at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Apr beating Eradicate (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Dunaskin (IRE) 85-40fav (11-12) Led, hit and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 21l behind Royal Mackintosh (10-12) at Carlisle 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Gee Dee Nen 16-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed before last, unable to quicken flat, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
Benfleet Boy 50-1 (11-0) Made most, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 11, 36l behind El Dancer (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Apr.
Fairyland (GER) 11-4fav (10-6) Held up in rear, headway 7th, hit 3 out, soon went 2nd, every chance between last 2, slightly hampered just after last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Trenchant (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Trafalgar Road (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Prominent, raced keen, went 2nd after 3 out, led approaching last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy beating Catch Bob (10-0) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Dani's Girl (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Held up in last pair, smooth headway after 3 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led going well last, driven out and kept on well flat, won at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct beating Pascha Bere (10-9) by 2l, 12 ran.
Know The Law 11-4fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden and hung left approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, closing towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Acambo (11-12) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jun.
Wessex King (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, ridden and no headway after 3 out, 9th of 12, 17l behind Dani's Girl (9-9) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct.
