soon prominent, led after 2nd, headed 6th, led when mistake next, headed before 4 out, weakened approaching last
2nd early, tracked leaders, hampered on inside after 4 out, stayed on same pace last, no extra final 100 yards
tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, pushed along after 5th, driven 4 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway on outside 6th, mistake 4 out, no impression from 3 out
held up in rear on outside, well beaten 3 out
always handy, pressed winner last, lost 2nd and stayed on same pace flat
held up in rear, headway when switched right 3 out, no impression before last
led until after 2nd, led 6th, headed next, led before 4 out, edged right flat, headed towards finish
held up in mid-division, headway when switched left before 3 out, weakened flat
held up in mid-division, headway on outside 6th, struggling 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and struggling in last after 4 out, headway before 2 out, switched right and still 5th last, stayed on well, led towards finish
This is a cracking contest as it features several in-form handicappers. Whatzdjazz was only beaten half-a-length back over 2m4f in a Listed handicap at Cheltenham. A 4lb rise looks fair and he goes on the short-list. Kerry Lee had a winner on the card last year and EATON HILL (NAP) was very much back on-song over course and distance last month in a Grade 3. He’s only gone up 3lb and Richard Patrick’s claim means he’s effectively on a lower mark with the better ground in his favour. Theclockisticking was a useful novice last season and should pay his way in handicaps this term while a case can be made for Irish raider Massini's Trap. Caius Marcius and Cool Sky are both attractively weighted but lack a recent run. Sternrubin is probably better over shorter trips while Diamond Fort, Wenyerreadyfreddie and Stamp Your Feet may need some help from the handicapper.
Sternrubin (GER) 7-1 (11-6) Led, headed 6 out, hampered last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 10 3/4l behind Havana Beat (10-4) at Aintree 2m hcp (2) sft in Apr.
Theclockisticking (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leader, led approaching last, hung left and headed final 150 yards, no impression on winner after, kept on, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Diese Des Bieffes (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Apr.
Stamp Your Feet (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Started slowly, always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Massini's Trap (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, never on terms, weakened last, 9th of 19, 13 3/4l behind Jester Jet (10-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Canelie (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Raced wide, tracked leaders, weakened and behind at 6th, pulled up before next, at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Diamond Fort (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, weakened 2 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Westend Story (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Whatzdjazz (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Behind, headway when not clear run approaching last, switched left, ran on into 2nd after last, never reached winner, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Rejaah (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Eaton Hill (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division in touch on inside, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden after next, took narrow 2nd last, kept on under pressure flat, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 19, 3/4l behind Jester Jet (10-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Apr.
Wenyerreadyfreddie (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 12th, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Caius Marcius (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 15, 23 1/4l behind Bags Groove (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Lisheen Prince (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Held up in touch, improved 3 out, losing place when not fluent last, weakened, 15th of 22, 15 1/4l behind Champagne Express (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Cool Sky 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leader until 2nd, raced in 3rd until ridden in last from 7th, not fluent 4 out, behind from next, last of 4, dist behind Black Ivory (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
