made all, ridden clear over 3f out, held on
held up, headway 6f out, weakened 3f out
in touch and keen, chased winner 3f out, kept on
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch and keen, behind after 6f, brief effort over 5f out
held up, steady headway after 6f, ridden to chase leaders 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up, steady headway after 6f, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, kept on
tracked leaders, weakened halfway
held up, ridden soon after halfway, one pace after 4f out
lost touch soon after halfway
tracked leaders and keen, chased winner over 4f out, soon one pace
A penalty makes life tougher for Kingston Lane however he looks capable of giving weight away all round; Earth Dreams and Quiet Bob make up the shortlist. The betting will provide further clues in this finale, especially regarding the newcomers, however Kingston Lane can follow up his recent course and distance win. A note must be made when his trainer rides a horse himself and whilst this looks tougher, he can win again. Buckshaw is well-bred and related to several winners, whilst Quiet Bob and Victory Parade both showed plenty of promise on their respective debuts. Circus Of Dreams looked a potential improver, whilst Earth Dream hung on debut and ran green so he should know a lot more today. Newcomers Up The Hammers and Sheila Ryan represent stables capable of providing bumper winners and each needs scrutiny in the betting, however it is Kingston Lane who is taken to win again.
Kingston Lane (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, stumbled final furlong, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov beating Shining Gale (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Buckshaw (IRE) Supreme Leader gelding out of winning hurdler Bucktime.
Circus of Dreams 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not much room and lost place 8f out, progress when not clear run over 1f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 18, 7l behind Broughton Green (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (5) sft.
Earth Dream (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) In touch, hung left over 3f out, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 15, nk behind Duke of Burgundy (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov.
Lancaster Sound (IRE) (11-7) Held when left clear last, won at Belclare 3m ire ptp gs in Mar '06 beating Nine Inch Nail (11-7) by 6l, 10 ran.
No Panic (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 16, 10l behind Take Me There (11-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs.
Pharaon de Touzaine (FR) 6-4fav (11-7) Prominent, chasing leader but held when left clear last, won at Punchestown 3m Ire pt-to-pt yld in Feb beating Moshahed (11-7) by 4l.
Quickbuck 150-1 (10-9) Mid-division to halfway, 13th of 16, well behind Kingston Lane (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Quiet Bob (IRE) 6-4fav (10-9) Held up, ridden 5f out, headway over 4f out, chased winner from over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Paddy Live (10-7) at Towcester 2m nhf (5) gs.
Up The Hammers (IRE) Good Thyne gelding, half-brother to winning bumper Breaking Storm.
Victory Parade (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, eadway over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 16, 11l behind Kingston Lane (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Miss Patchwork El Conquistador mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
Sheila Ryan Bob's Return mare out of an unraced mare.
Mexican Honeymoon 33-1 (10-9) Towards rear, steady headway over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 7l behind Duke of Burgundy (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn nhf (5) gd in Nov.
