tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
mid-division, driven and outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong
tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden 3f out, never on terms
held up in rear, switched outside and headway over 3f out, effort 2f out, ridden and no impression approaching final furlong
made all, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on well
held up, effort on outside 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 3f out, challenged 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd near finish
tracked winner, lost pace over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace
Nonrunner
Dr Sharp gets the nod, with Halla San and Trance others to consider in a wide open contest. It would also come as no surprise to see Gee Dee Nen put up a bold show, as he is sure to be as fit as a flea and is at the right end of the weights today. The last named does have a bit to find on the pick of his Flat form but is lightly raced and is feasibly open to improvement. Trance is steadily running into full fitness and can never be ruled out in races of this nature. Paul Fessey knows him well and the partnership have solid each-way claims in this company. Halla San has won five of his last eight starts, so has to merit serious consideration. However, that is likely to be reflected in his price and others make more appeal as a betting proposition. With nothing standing out more than Dr Sharp, who has gone well fresh in the past and is fancied to pick up where he left off last season. The seven-year-old looks the pick of Tom Tate's pair in the race and, as his first racecourse success came at this track, the gelding is fancied to make the return to Ripon a successful venture.
Halla San 15-8fav (9-3) Held up, headway over 4f out, went 3rd 3f out, led over 2f out, clear approaching final furlong, easily, won at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Charlotte Vale (8-5) by 7l, 8 ran.
Macorville (USA) 10-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, driven along when weakening final furlong, last of 6, 14l behind Hattan (9-7) at Ripon 1m 2f stk (3) gf.
Escayola (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway to lead 2f out, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Nov beating Reluctant Suitor (9-7) by 4l, 12 ran.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden 3f out, stayed on gamely from over 1f out, won at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct beating Kayf Aramis (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Helvetio 14-1 (8-7) In rear, ridden and lost touch final 4f, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Odiham (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Trance (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3/4l behind Junior (8-11) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Raucous (GER) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 6f out, ridden 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd in Aug beating Behlaya (9-9) by a nk, 11 ran.
Burntoakboy 11-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, dropped to 7th 5f out, no impression from 3f out, 5th of 8, 9l behind Port Jeff (10-9) at Tramore 2m ldy nhf gf in Aug.
Gee Dee Nen 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, shaken up over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on close home, 3rd of 7, nk behind Nawow (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Bollin Derek 7-2jt-fav (9-2) In touch, pushed along 9f out, lost place halfway and dropped to rear, outpaced over 4f out, ridden and stayed on final 2f out, 6th of 10, 13l behind Mahmjra (8-3) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Mar.
Shabernak (IRE) 13-2 (9-9) Soon led, pushed along 5f out, headed 4f out, soon beaten, eased when no chance final 2f, 5th of 6, 31l behind Odiham (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Double Deputy (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Prominent until lost ground over 5f out, last of 7, 41l behind St Savarin (9-9) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Sept.
