held up in rear, headway on outside 2 out, ridden last, no impression flat
keen early, mid-division, lost place 4th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 5th, headed 2 out, lost 2nd last, ridden and kept on flat
mid-division, headway 2 out, went second last, ridden and kept on flat, no impression
raced keenly, in touch, effort 2 out, one pace from last
tracked leader, lost place 4th, weakened 2 out
jumped left 1st, behind when hit and unseated rider 3rd
in touch, headway to lead 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
led to 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out
hampered 1st, behind, struggling 4th, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
Nonrunner
Tara Royal, Kellystown Lad and Benny Be Good make the shortlist here, with TARA ROYAL taken to continue recent progress. Kellystown Lad is the most experienced runner in the field and was a decisive winner last time at Musselburgh. He left previous form well behind and is on an upward curve. However, the form of his win is hard to evaluate and carrying a penalty he is opposed. Benny Be Good was made favourite on his most recent outing on the strength of an impressive debut success in a bumper. He disappointed though, and on his hurdling bow he is respected, but he is probably best watched, though hailing from an in form yard. Tara Royal stepped up considerably on a moderate debut effort when leading at the final flight at Ayr last month, only to be run out of it in the closing stages. Tara Royal is clearly learning with racing, and he can get off the mark here.
Kellystown Lad (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, went 2nd after 2 out, led after last, ran on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Sunarri (10-12) by 8l, 6 ran.
Arty Farmer 28-1 (10-12) Held up and keen, outpaced from 5th, 6th of 11, 31l behind Jumby Bay (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Benny Be Good 11-8fav (11-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 16, 7l behind Dear Sam (11-11) at Catterick 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec.
Colour Clash 14-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 5 out, driven and no extra final 2f, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Roses (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Eighteen Carat (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up, stumbled 6f out, soon lost place, tailed off 4f out, 7th of 10, well behind Titus Andronicus (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Gunpoint (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leader until lost place approaching, 11th of 14, well behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Sirmuhta (FR) 66-1 (10-13) Held up and keen, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 20l behind Sheepclose (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Tara Royal 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, led narrowly 2 out, blundered and headed last, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Turbo Island (10-9) at Ayr 2m hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Zero Six Zoo (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) With leaders, led before 6th to next, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Milans Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Berrydale Covert 100-1 (11-2) Pressed leader until 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 9, 28l behind Brixen (11-2) at Southwell 2m N H flat (4) std.
Devil Water 11-1 (11-10) Mid-division, outpaced 9th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Simonsberg (11-1) at Perth 2m 4f hts chs (5) gd in Apr, 12 ran.
Eyre Square (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 15, 12l behind Rollwiththepunches (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft.
