tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, soon lost place, weakened between last 2
tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on under pressure approaching last, no impression
in touch on outside, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened
led, headed narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, kept on until weakened flat
towards rear, outpaced 3 out, ridden next, kept on into mid-division after last, never reached leaders
towards rear, hit 4th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division on inside, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, behind from 3 out
mid-division, ridden 2 out, never on terms, weakening when mistake last
always in rear, tailed off before 2 out
mid-division on outside, some headway 3 out, outpaced before next, soon weakened, tailed off
in touch on inside, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, effort to lead narrowly 2 out, headed last, ridden and no impression with winner flat, lost 2 places final 75 yards
held up behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders before last, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd final 75 yards, no impression with winner
mid-division on inside, driven before 2 out, kept on same pace, never near leaders
mid-division, headway on outside before 2 out, soon chased leaders, ridden and stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, no impression
mid-division, headway after 3 out, driven and stayed on to lead last, ridden clear flat
This is probably going to be fast and furious with habitual front-runner Australia Day sure to be near the head of affairs. Laudatory may be better going left-handed but was fifth in this last year when Solaras Exhibition was well beaten. Mijhaar has a touch of class and still has plenty of scope over timber while Cool Sky has won his last two, though might struggle to complete the hat-trick up in grade under a penalty. Richard Newland trained last year's winner and has another leading candidate in DISCAY. All three of his wins have come over further so he'll be suited by the likely strong pace and might still be a step ahead of the handicapper. Roman Flight has each-way claims, along with Purple 'n Gold, but Smart Ruler has a lot more to do than when successful at Cartmel last month.
Minella Forfitness (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Prominent, pulled hard, jumped big and right 3rd, weakened after 2 out, last of 7, 33l behind Ittirad (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd.
Laudatory 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, 2nd at 3rd, 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and no extra last, weakened, 10th of 20, 12l behind Thomas Edison (10-6) at Galway 2m hcp hdl gd in Jul.
Mijhaar 16-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division on outside, effort approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression on leaders before last, edged left flat, 5th of 10, 12l behind Josses Hill (11-4) at Aintree 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Australia Day (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led and set good pace, headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, rallied last, went 2nd soon after, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Gold Futures (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Jul.
Roman Flight (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Held up, headway approaching last, went 3rd flat, stayed on, nearest finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Ittirad (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd.
Bothy 25-1 (10-6) Chased leaders until lost place and struggling after 5th, dropped to rear and struggling before next, tailed off, 17th of 21, well behind Cause Of Causes (10-13) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) hvy in Dec '12.
Discay 7-4 (11-12) Made all, joined 4 out, ridden clear after last, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating A Tail Of Intrigue (11-5) by 10l, 6 ran.
Dineur (FR) 5-6fav (11-12) Led, pushed along 4 out, headed after 3 out, switched right after 2 out, swished tail and stayed on flat, led towards finish, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gf in Sep '13 beating Pateese (11-8) by hd, 3 ran.
Solaras Exhibition (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Always last, weakened 4 out, tailed off when went right 2 out, last of 5, well behind Grumeti (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov chs (4) gd in May.
Fleet Dawn 25-1 (10-7) Held up in last trio, steady headway 4 out, pushed along and keeping on same pace but no chance when left modest 4th last, 4th of 8, 11l behind Ifandbutwhynot (10-11) at Newbury 2m Lstd hcp hdl 0-155 (1) gs in Nov.
Cool Sky 9-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf beating Springinherstep (11-2) by 3l, 10 ran.
Smart Ruler (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Tracked leader until 3rd, stayed handy, led last, clear final 150 yards, ridden out, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Aug beating Dovils Date (11-4) by 5l, 9 ran.
Benbecula 7-1 (11-5) Led until 3 out, lost 2nd soon after, rallied into 2nd again before 2 out, ridden and no impression last, soon lost 2nd and kept on same pace in 3rd, went 2nd again post, well held, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Chase The Wind (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Held up and behind, headway approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cool Sky (10-12) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf.
Crafty Roberto 20-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, switched right and effort before 2 out, never on terms, no extra flat, 7th of 13, 14l behind Hawkhill (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov.
Odin (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, no impression in
Exitas (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd beating Knight In Purple (11-0) by 6l, 7 ran.