chased leaders, struggling 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, behind when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway after 3rd, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, 3rd when beaten and blundered last
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, good headway after 6th, led 2 out, went left last, kept on well, ridden out
prominent until not fluent 2nd, chased leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, struggling after 6th, slightly outpaced next, stayed on from last
soon led, headed 4th, prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when mistakes 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, struggling 5th, headway from 3 out, went 2nd last, kept on
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace
in touch, effort after 3 out, kept on from next
Few can seriously be considered here which means that Maraafeq may well be able to defy his penalty but we'll plump for Alaghiraar whilst keeping an eye on Chesapeake. Maraafeq, ultimately, won quite impressively at Market Rasen but he got very warm beforehand, was weak in the market and didn't have a great deal to beat. That said, he did all that was required in good fashion and doesn't have a great deal more on his plate this afternoon. Chesapeake showed a fair level of form on the level in Ireland and is entitled to have come on for his hurdling debut. He finished well beaten at Haydock but that was a far better race than this one and he can't be ruled out with any confidence. The selection also made his debut in a more competitive race than this at Sandown which was won by well regarded stablemate Crack Away Jack. However, he showed distinct promise in making the useful Squadron work hard to hold on to second place. He's open to plenty of improvement, receives weight from his main market rival and Alaghiraar makes a deal of appeal.
Maraafeq (USA) 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, led and hit last, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Pheidias (10-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Alaghiraar (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, effort approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Crack Away Jack (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd.
Amazing Request 66-1 (10-9) Held up, not fluent 1st, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 24l behind Metaphoric (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Arctic Wings (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 15, 48l behind Doubly Guest (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Born West (USA) 66-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened well before 2 out, 11th of 16, 42l behind Metaphoric (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd.
Chesapeake (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, never dangerous after, 6th of 7, 15l behind Serabad (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs.
Diego Velasquez (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led until 5th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 9, 21l behind Crack Away Jack (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd.
Fantastic Morning 33-1 (11-0) Chased winner until 3rd, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mamlook (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (2) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Hum The Tune 13-2 (9-3) Soon settled rear of mid-division, 10th approaching halfway, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace from before straight, 8th of 12, 6l behind Rain Rush (9-7) at Tipperary 1m 1f Cond Stakes gd in Aug (Flat).
Kanonkop 100-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, hit 1st, ridden after 4th, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Franchoek (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Master Halling 100-1 (10-7) Mainly towards rear, 9th of 18, 29l behind Song of Songs (11-9) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Zelos (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, weakening when mistake 6th, tailed off when fell 2 out in race won by Hibiki (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Irish Honours (IRE) 100-1 (10-6) Held up, not fluent 2nd, struggling 5th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, last of 7, well behind Ashkazar (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
Pearl (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 9, 32l behind Crack Away Jack (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd.
