always in rear
tracked leaders until halfway, close up, pushed along and weakened over 1f out
held up, wide and closeup 4f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
slowly away in rear, kept on from 2f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, effort to press leaders halfway briefly, chased leader 2f out, led over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, ran on gamely
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway to 4th halfway, chased leading pair 2f out, effort between horses just inside final furlong, soon joined winner, ridden and ran on gamely, just held
held up, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms
RAINBOW DREAMER (NAP) bids to repeat last year’s victory in this and looks to have every chance of doing so. Alan King’s charge returned to action with a good second at Newcastle when finishing in front of the disappointing favourite Mildenberger, Carnwennan and Stargazer and can go one better. Mekong shares the same rating as the selection but hasn’t won since 2018 and hasn’t raced since last summer while the remainder have plenty to find on these terms. That includes Outbox though the latter is still preferred to Nate The Great and Cosmelli.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 12-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, effort and pushed wide over 2f out, no impression, well beaten over 1f out, last of 8, 9 3/4l behind Lord Of The Alps (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Carnwennan (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, outpaced 2f out, kept on into fourth inside final 110 yards, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Island Brave (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Cosmelli (ITY) 9-2 (9-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 3f out, pressed leader 2f out, kept on final furlong but could not match winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Lucky Deal (10-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) pol in Dec.
Mekong 33-1 (9-2) Started slowly, held up in rear, some headway over 3f out, no impression and well beaten final 2f, 5th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Stradivarius (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) sft in Jun.
Mildenberger 5-2fav (9-3) Prominent early, led by halfway, shaken up and headed over 3f out, outpaced 2f out, ran on again inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Island Brave (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Nate The Great 5-1 (9-5) Led early, tracked leaders, not much room over 2f out, effort and switched left inside final furlong, went 2nd final 75 yards, not trouble winner, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Australis (9-8) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Outbox 10-1 (9-9) Led after 1f, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, battled on well until headed 150 yards out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final 100 yards, dropped to 4th last strides, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Lucky Deal (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Rainbow Dreamer 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, headway to dispute lead 3f out, narrowly led when pushed along 2f out, plugged on once headed inside final furlong but lost second final 110 yards, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Island Brave (9-3) at Newcastle 2m stks (2) pol in Dec.
Stargazer (IRE) 40-1 (9-9) Steadied start, held up last, bit closer on outside over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Lucky Deal (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Jan.
