chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up towards rear, no real headway when hampered over 1f out
raced keenly, chased leaders, ran on inside final furlong, every chance until no extra towards finish
held up, never dangerous
chased leaders near side of group, weakened inside final 2f
chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish
chased leader until pushed along over 2f out, chased leaders, weakened soon after
held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, switched right and ran on inside final furlong, led towards finish (hand timed)
chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
stated slowly, towards rear, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, headway weaved through and strong run inside final furlong, edged left and went 2nd towards finish, just failed
slight lead until pushed along over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out
Moonraker returns to 6f having won over the minimum trip at Southwell earlier and is closely matched with third-placed El Hombre on latest running here. Highlight Reel was placed over 7f at Kempton recently and can race off the same mark while Portledge scored over 7f here but is upped in class today. Novice winner Royal Prospect returns to action having been successful over track and trip last year but it could pay to stick with NICK VEDDER (NAP). The latter is also taking on tougher opposition after winning over course and distance but was still in last place approaching the final furlong on that occasion and that powerful turn of foot can see him home in this.
Bengali Boys (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Outpaced, switched left over 1f out, finish on far side, never a factor, 11th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Foolaad (9-2) at Catterick 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Moonraker 11-2 (9-6) Dwelt towards rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Outrage (9-3) at Newcastle 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Air Raid 12-1 (8-13) Pulled hard in touch, headway over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Lord Oberon (8-13) at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
El Hombre 9-1 (9-4) In touch, pushed along over 1f out, headway when not much room inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Outrage (9-3) at Newcastle 5f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Highlight Reel (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, wide and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Diocles Of Rome (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Valley of Fire 20-1 (9-11) Towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Crosse Fire (8-8) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Tommy G 9-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Parys Mountain (9-7) at Redcar 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Portledge (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Tracked leader, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 7f hcp (5) pol in Nov beating Harvest Day (8-13) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Royal Prospect (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up, headway and switched right over 2f out, led and baulked slightly over 1f out, stayed on, won at Newcastle 6f stks (4) pol in Nov beating The British Lion (9-2), 9 ran.
Red Pike (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Raced wide close up, headway when hung left over 1f out, carried on hanging to press leader inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1/4l behind Musharrif (9-1) at Pontefract 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Athollblair Boy (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, well beaten over 1f out, 17th of 19, 14 1/4l behind Quick Look (9-5) at York 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Nick Vedder 5-2fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, still plenty to do when switched to near side rail over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led towards finish, won going away, won at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Oct beating Thello (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Dirchill (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Outpaced and towards rear, plugged on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 8th of 16, 4 3/4l behind Wrenthorpe (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Kenny The Captain (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, not much room and weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Buccaneers Vault (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
