held up in midfield, ridden before 3 out, no impression when fell 2 out
jumped well, made all, 4 lengths ahead 3 out, ridden to maintain advantage 2 out, 5 lengths clear last, stayed on well run-in
unruly beforehand, held up in rear, headway into midfield before 8th, pushed along before 3 out, not fluent 3 out, lost 3rd 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, ridden before 3 out, no impression before 2 out
prominent, ridden and dropped to rear before 3 out, tailed off before 2 out
midfield, pushed along before 3 out, chased clear leader 3 out, 5 lengths behind 2 out, not fluent last, kept on same pace run-in
prominent, ridden to chase clear leader before 3 out, weakened into midfield before 2 out, tailed off approaching last
held up in rear, ridden and headway before 3 out, stayed on into 3rd before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, mistake last, stayed on same pace run-in
NonRunner
Last year’s winner Aurora Thunder has failed to score subsequently but Navajo Pass has slipped down the weights since landing this in 2021 and Brian Hughes partners the latter with a 10lb conditional on board stablemate Gaelik Coast. Benson found one too good for a third time in succession when narrowly beaten at Aintree while Ilanz is upped in class bidding for a hat-trick. HOLMES ST GEORGES has been raised 9lb for winning over track and trip but won easily on that handicap debut and may still be ahead of the assessor.
Gaelik Coast (FR) 10-1 (11-12) In rear, close up, headway to dispute lead 2 out, soon ridden, every chance last, kept on, headed closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Rathmacknee (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Benson 7-2 (10-9) Always prominent, ridden and every chance when hung left before last, held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Romeo Brown (10-8) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Findthetime (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Towards rear, slow 6th, pushed along before 3 out, soon struggling, 6th of 7, 30 1/4l behind Stainsby Girl (10-11) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Excelcius (USA) 50-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, made no impression, 5th of 7, 20 1/4l behind Lebowski (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Aurora Thunder 16-1 (10-8) In rear, hampered 1st, tailed off 8th, pulled up after, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Holmes St Georges (FR) 7-4 (10-8) Bit keen, tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 3rd, led 2 out, clear before the last, stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Whizz Kid (11-10) by 13l, 5 ran.
Ginger Mail (FR) 7-1 (11-7) In rear, in touch, went 3rd before 5th, hit 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, gradually faded 2 out, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Jungle Jack (12-0) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ilanz (FR) 13-8fav (10-8) Close 3rd, went 2nd omitted 3 out, soon in front, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Magistrato (11-8) by 16l, 4 ran.
Navajo Pass 6-5fav (10-10) Prominent, led after 2nd, not fluent 4 out, headed 3 out and ridden, beaten after 2 out, 4th of 8, 20l behind Good Risk At All (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
