with leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, beaten when hung right inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders
held up, headway on inside well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble winner
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong
raced keenly, prominent, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Hiccups, Roman Maze and Grey Boy are the three to look at here with Roman Maze taken to come out on top and supplement a first time out success. Hiccups finished off last season in winning form and is clearly still in great heart, judged by his win at Southwell on his first start this season. he has gone up four pounds but nonetheless looks sure to go well. Grey Boy has been dropping down the handicap despite running well and he has shown plenty of speed in recent efforts. He has dropped to a lenient mark and is another to consider. Roman Maze won well at Bath on his re-appearance as he benefitted from slipping down the handicap and although he has gone up five pounds, he may have improved since last year. Roman Maze is our answer to this puzzle.
Phluke 12-1 (9-3) Raced wide, in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Sound of Nature (8-7) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Hiccups 12-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr beating H Harrison (8-1) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Roman Maze 20-1 (9-2) Held up, not clear run over 2f out, squeezed through narrow gap when struck by rival whip on head, led over 1f out, held on gamely, all out, won at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr beating River Kirov (9-1) by 2l, 14 ran.
Mr Garston 14-1 (8-12) Behind, headway on inside and got through to challenge final furlong, faded towards finish, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Saviours Spirit (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Sun Catcher (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led travelling well over 1f out, ran on until worn down final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, nk behind Binnion Bay (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Grey Boy (GER) 7-1 (9-2) Led until 2f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Street Warrior (8-11) at Bath 1m hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Apr.
Trimlestown (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, progress to lead over 1f out, edged right, ridden clear, won at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct beating Resplendent Nova (8-9) by 2l, 18 ran.
Orpsie Boy (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up in rear, good headway on inside over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr beating Effective (8-11) by a hd, 12 ran.
Bee Stinger 12-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway on stand rail over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 7l behind Hassaad (8-13) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
