tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, just held
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden over 3f, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, eased final furlong
behind, weakened 3f out
in touch, weakened over 2f out
chased leader, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Ainama makes plenty of appeal but is likely to be short enough so we'll take a chance with Rajeh; Tcherina completes the short-list. The selection races from the same mark as when third in a similar contest at this track in August and is open to improvement after just a handful of starts on the level. He has been off since pulling up over hurdles in November but his trainer is capable of having him ready and the booking of Sanders is encouraging. Ainama went into many a notebook having just missed out at Chester despite coming home with a wet sail. He races from the same mark and will be fancied to make amends but will probably be too short as a result of his eyecatching performance. Tcherina won this race last year from the same mark as today's and her locally based trainer is sure to have her primed for a repeat performance so she has to be feared. Ella has a big rise in the weights and different ground to contend with so is passed over but neither she nor Sin City and Red Wine are without claims. The sporting selection, though, is Rajeh.
Rajeh (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 19, 4l behind Galactic Star (8-13) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Prince Sabaah (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) In touch, lost place 7f out, rallied over 2f out, soon driven, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 16l behind Wing Express (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Dzesmin (POL) 20-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway on outside from 3f out, stayed on final 2f but not reach leaders, 5th of 16, 13l behind Ezdiyaad (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Zaif (IRE) 33-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on from 2f out, 6th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Buccellati (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct.
Birkside 11-2 (9-11) Held up mid-division, chased leaders over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Red Wine (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Red Wine 13-2 (8-8) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Bukit Tinggi (8-12) by a hd, 10 ran.
Ainama (IRE) 4-1fav (8-11) Held up in rear, not clear run well over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, nk behind Maslak (9-4) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Longspur 14-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Polish Power (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp (4) gs.
Tcherina (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, reminders and lost 2nd 4f out, weakened 3f out, soon eased, last of 8, 32l behind Oh Glory Be (9-10) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Sporting Gesture 20-1 (9-1) Towards rear, headway 3f out, driven over 1f out and kept on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Pee Jay's Dream (8-7) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Bailieborough (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, effort over 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 25l behind First Buddy (9-1) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Apr.
Collette's Choice 4-1 (8-8) Held up, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Maneki Neko (8-10) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Ella 11-4 (9-4) Made all and raced keen, ridden and challenged well over 1f out, stayed on, driven out, won at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (3) hvy in Apr beating Born Tobouggie (8-13) by 5l, 5 ran.
Sin City 3-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind All The Good (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (3) gd in Jun.
