chased leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, driven along from 6th, mistake 2 out, weakened
chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened next
held up and always towards rear
in touch, headway to chase winner after 3 out, hit last, idled flat, ridden out
held up, weakened 3 out, pulled up flat
in touch until 6th, held off
held up, always towards rear
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on same pace
held up, headway 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace from next
led and soon clear, headed and mistake 2 out, rallied flat, no extra close home
Nonrunner
Honey's Gift stepped up on his reappearance effort when a close fourth behind Lord Lington at Warwick last month and with further improvement likely is taken to resume winning ways at the main expense of Come Bye and Son Of Greek Myth. The last mentioned has solid claims on his best but disappointed when last seen and is probably best watched at present. Festive Chimes has been performing with some consistency of late and can be expected to run his usual good race, while Front Rank may need another run to put him spot on. Jayed is entitled to need the run on his return, while Park City is likely to need at least one too good. Shirazi is another worthy of a mention although a bigger threat is likely to come from recent course winner Come Bye, although he faces no easy task giving weight away all round and preference is for Honey's Gift, who looks to be going the right way.
Come Bye (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Made all, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on gamely, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft beating Assoon (11-9) by 4l, 4 ran.
Shirazi 16-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden to lead last, headed close home, 2nd of 9, hd behind Major Shark (10-9) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Jul '04.
Front Rank (IRE) 5-1co-fav (11-9) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, quickly weakened and pulled up at the last in race won by Nite Fox (10-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up, headway approaching 3rd, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Irish Wolf (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Son of Greek Myth (USA) 5-1co-fav (11-4) Held up, in rear and beaten when blundered 3 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Nite Fox (10-8) at Aintree 3m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Honey's Gift 8-1 (11-9) Towards rear, ridden from 5th, stayed on but not trouble leaders, 4th of 14, 6l behind Lord Lington (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Oct.
Jayed (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led from 2nd until slipped on bend approaching 5th, soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Englishtown (11-9) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in Jun.
Park City 16-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 6l behind Irish Wolf (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
