chased leaders, lost place approaching 4 out, soon weakened
led to after 2nd, chased leader, led again next, ridden and kept on well from 2 out
in touch, challenged 3 out, ridden next, stayed on under pressure to dead heat for 2nd post
in touch, chased winner approaching 2 out, soon ridden, held on for 2nd post
keen early, held up, always behind, tailed off 3 out
held up, some headway 4 out, ridden and no impression next
held up, headway 4 out, kept on same pace from next
behind, kept on from 3 out, never near leaders
mid-division, ridden and headway to chase leaders when jumped left 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, lost place 3rd, soon behind
in touch, led after 2nd, headed next, chased leaders until weakened 3 out
behind, headway 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
mid-division, headway 4 out, effort when hampered and ride lost iron next, not recover
raced keenly in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Cedrus Libani gets the vote here dropping back to the bare two miles, with Naiad Du Misselot, Chief Scout and The Ring making up the shortlist. Howard Johnson's horses are starting to run a bit more up to form, and the drop in trip today should be ideal as he hacked up at Hexham on his penultimate start but then failed to stay an extra five furlongs next time out. Naiad Du Misselot improved on his racecourse debut to win next time up at Wetherby in a similar race. However he must shoulder a penalty today, and while he has the scope to continue improving, it may be a tough ask in this stronger race. The Ring has struggled under his penalty after winning three runs ago at Kelso on similar ground, however a months break may have freshened him up and he has place claims. As does Chief Scout who was an 86-rated performer on the flat and has acquitted himself well on two hurdles runs so far. This is a weaker race and so he has obvious claims, however we will return to Cedrus Libani to relish the drop in trip and go in again.
Bollin Thomas 11-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 5th of 8, 13l behind Sun King (10-2) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jul.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Held up, headway to track leaders approaching 7th, hit 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 10, well behind Chief Dan George (11-5) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Naiad du Misselot (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway 4th, ridden approaching last, hung right flat, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Bywell Beau (11-2) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
The Ring (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 17, 20l behind Naiad du Misselot (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Artic John (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden over 4f out, no impression, 9th of 16, 31l behind Peters Pride (11-2) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (5) sft.
Bene Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 10th of 16, well behind Role On (11-5) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Bernix 66-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and effort next, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 22l behind Raining Horse (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft.
Black Rainbow (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Raced keenly in mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 30l behind Return Ticket (10-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Chief Scout 11-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon lost place, kept on flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Crocodile Dundee (11-5) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (2) hvy.
Cumbo Kid (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, reminders halfway, soon struggling, 7th of 15, 28l behind Sir Boreas Hawk (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (6) gd.
Desert Nova (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, never better than mid-division, 10th of 14, well behind Dynah Mo Hum (9-2) at Tralee 1m 4f hcp 0-80 hvy in Jun '05 (Flat).
Fred Bojangals (IRE) Scribano gelding out of the winning pointer Southern Princess.
Rash Promise (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Held up and always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Raining Horse (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nh mdn hdl (5) sft, 13 ran.
Royal Melbourne (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 17l behind Ego Trip (9-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct (Flat).
Scutch Mill (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, hit 3 out, soon headed, no extra, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Purple Moon (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Franceschiella (ITY) 200-1 (10-0) Always behind, 10th of 16, well behind Pevensey (10-9) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Just Observing 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 9, 28l behind Storm Prospect (10-12) at Ayr 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy.
Gavz Boy (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Double Eagle (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) sft in Oct.
