reluctant going to post, raced keenly, held up in 5th place, closer after 4th, 3rd before 3 out, weakened next
pulled hard in rear, good headway tracking leaders 5th, hit 10th, went 2nd and hit next, led 4 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed before the last, weakened into 3rd
tracked leader 2nd until 5 out, chased leaders, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, close 2nd before 3 out, upsides 2 out, led before last, ridden and found nil run-in, headed and no extra final 110 yards
led, went clear 4th until 6th, headed 4 out, lost 2nd before next where mistake and weakened
raced wide, tracked leader until 2nd, chased leaders until lost place and behind 7th, rallied on inside before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, went 2nd and switched right run-in, stayed on to lead final 110 yards, soon clear
King Golan doesn’t hang around but rarely lasts home and is probably due a rest. It will be a surprise if he manages to hold off the likes of Fiddlers Bow and SOME REIGN. Both the latter pair will have their fitness tested after a lengthy absence but the former won twice at the Ayr back in January, though Rose Dobbin’s charge is far less exposed and appears to have dropped to a fair mark. Elkstone was never travelling at Fakenham in October after an earlier win at Huntingdon but may have been refreshed by a short break.
Some Reign (IRE) 11-4 (12-2) Chased leaders, took closer order 7th, every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure closing stages, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Monsieur Co (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Elkstone 11-2 (11-0) In touch in rear, pushed along 14th, soon struggling, pulled up 3 out, at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Caltex (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, already weakening and behind when fell 4 out, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Fiddlers Bow (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-0) Close up on outside, blundered 8th, headway to lead 5 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Angus Milan (11-11) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
King Golan (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Led, clear until blundered 8th, drew clear again 6 out to before 3 out, headed when pecked next, weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 14 3/4l behind Charlie Snow Angel (10-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Well Smitten (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Pressed leader, led before 4th, headed after 9th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Oscar Maguire (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
