slowly away, mid-division, good headway and ridden over 1f out, edged left but kept on final furlong
soon led, headed 4f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
midfield, edged left and ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, always holding runner-up
prominent, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on well, always held by winner
restrained in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
midfield, pushed along 2f out, plugged on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon faded
chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, no extra over 1f out
towards rear, dropped to last 3f out, soon struggling
reared up in stalls, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, made no impression
Walking On Clouds has been here five times and won four and also scored on Tapeta at Newcastle. He has a 5lb penalty for his latest success over the minimum but he's better over this trip and should make a bold bid to defy the extra. SHALAA ASKER was beaten just under two lengths by him last month but will be 8lb better off and was well supported here a couple of weeks ago where he scored with a bit in hand so gets the vote. Intervention has two track victories to his credit and though on a losing run is rarely beaten far. Pinwheel, a winner at Longchamp in 2021, has a long absence to overcome but may be capable of better than we've seen so far.
Walking On Clouds (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Close up, pushed along 2f out, headway to chase leader entering final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Level Up (10-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Prince Of Bel Lir (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Brazen Bolt (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Bellagio Man (IRE) 17-2 (8-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3/4l behind Diligent Harry (9-10) at Newcastle 6f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Mellys Flyer 16-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, chased leaders out wide, went 2nd inside final 3f until entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4l behind Sir Robin (9-9) at Southwell 6f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Intervention 9-2 (9-8) In touch, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Follow Your Heart (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Watermelon Sugar (IRE) 28-1 (9-3) Keen held up, pushed along over 2f out, never a factor, last of 8, 14 1/4l behind Kingdom Come (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Straits Of Moyle (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Rear of mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2f out, made no impression, 8th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Justcallmepete (9-6) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Pinwheel (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Pressed winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 4, 8 1/4l behind Regal Envoy (9-3) at Bath 6f hcp (4) fm in Jun.
Shalaa Asker 11-4fav (9-8) Took keen hold, midfield in touch, travelling well 2f out, headway between horses over 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Southwell 6f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Em Jay Kay (9-8) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Churchill Bay 17-2 (9-11) Raced keenly, chased leaders three wide, switched left to rail and hampered rival halfway, ridden and hung right over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Beauty Choice (9-9) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
The Dunkirk Lads 6-1 (9-8) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on but no extra closing stages, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Roundhay Park (9-11) at Pontefract 6f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
