prominent, took it up travelling well 2 out, led last, bounded clear flat, easily
held up, stumbled home turn, pushed along 2 out, ran on well flat, went 2nd towards finish
mid division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened 2 out when not fluent
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened thereafter
held up, headway on inner home turn, ridden to press leader 2 out when not fluent, outpaced before last, well held flat
mid division, pushed along and dropped to rear home turn, well beaten 2 out
chased leader, pushed along and weakened 3 out, well beaten 2 out
Christopher Wood won over course and distance last season under Angus Cheleda and is a pound lower but was well behind Tommy's Oscar at Haydock last month and the top weight, successful since at Doncaster, will attract support again in this if Geromino wins the previous race. Anna Bunina usually needs a run but ran well in a couple of tough handicaps in the spring, though FIRST IMPRESSION is preferred. He won easily at Wetherby in November and still has untapped potential despite unseating his rider here last month. Fiveandtwenty is 3-3 around here but has had wind surgery since running a shocker on her reappearance.
Tommy's Oscar (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd on inside, went 2nd after 4th until before 3 out, went 2nd again next, challenged approaching last, ridden and stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Geromino (10-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Christopher Wood (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Tommy's Oscar (11-1) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Anna Bunina (FR) 8-1 (10-13) 2nd or 3rd, closed on leader from 5th, not fluent 4 out, led after 3 out, headed last, not pace of winner flat, 2nd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Milkwood (11-6) at Ayr 2m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Fiveandtwenty 12-1 (10-13) Led, headed and weakened quickly off home turn, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Molly Ollys Wishes (11-2) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) gs in Oct.
First Impression (IRE) 5-4fav (11-12) Keen, tracked leaders when hit 4th hard and unseated rider, at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mick Maestro (FR) 125-1 (10-9) Kept out wide, chased leader, lost 2nd and not much room 2 out, weakened quickly between last two, 16th of 19, 24 1/2l behind West Cork (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Blakeney Point 16-1 (11-11) Held up, reminder after 4th, pushed along under 4 out, outpaced well over 2 out and soon beaten, 5th of 7, 28 1/4l behind Restandbethankful (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
