towards rear and keen, headway over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, soon eased
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on and held towards finish
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, pushed along and weakened over 1f out
mid-division on outer, soon towards rear, never dangerous
Having wintered in Dubai, Fire Fighting just failed to overhaul Noble Gift in the Roseberry at Kempton six days ago and stays this longer trip. Jim Goldie supplied last year's winner but neither Mistiroc nor the returning Icon Dream make much appeal at this level. However, Esteaming could be interesting as he won first-time out last year while Gabrial The Terror bids for a five-timer having already won four times on the Tapeta since the turn of the year, though has a penalty to overcome. Kelinni has ability and Aramist did well last year while Buthelezi, Keys and BAYAN (NAP) were all in action over jumps during the winter. The latter had much the best form, landing a Grade 3 handicap over hurdles at Ascot in December. He also had decent form on the Flat last year, winning over this trip at Leopardstown, and Gordon Elliott rarely wastes a trip to Scotland. The booking of Paul Hanagan looks highly significant and his mount may be the one to beat.
Fire Fighting (IRE) 15-2 (9-10) Dwelt keen mid-division, headway 2f out, soon every chance and edged left, driven to lead inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 12, ns behind Noble Gift (8-9) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Kelinni (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) In touch, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Pinzolo (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (2) pol in Mar.
Esteaming 3-1 (9-10) Mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 8l behind Personal Opinion (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) in Nov.
Aramist (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 23, 12l behind Open Eagle (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Suraj 8-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway 5f out, not much room and squeezed through over 3f out, went 3rd over 2f olut, ridden inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 19, 11l behind Domination (9-7) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun.
Buthelezi (USA) 3-1 (10-0) Prominent on inside early, tracked leaders, not clear run well over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Hidden Gold (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Sep.
Bayan (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, 9th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out and 5th 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 4l behind Toe The Line (8-11) at Leopardstown 1m 6f hcp gf in Sep.
Keys (IRE) 6-1fav (9-2) In touch, driven over and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, eased 1f out, 18th of 33, 37l behind Never Can Tell (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct '11.
Mistiroc 33-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 6th of 24, 5l behind Farquhar (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 4f her hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Oct.
Icon Dream (IRE) 28-1 (9-8) Prominent, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 21, 22l behind Party Line (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct '12.
Gabrial The Terror (IRE) 13-8fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, switched right to challenge over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) in Mar beating Sunblazer (9-12) by hd, 6 ran.
