midfield, lost place over 3f out, eased over 2f out
steadied in rear, always behind
in touch, weakened over 3f out
in touch, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, hard driven to challenge well over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well closing stages
midfield, headway on inside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
made all, hard driven over 2f out, ran on well
midfield, driven and headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Stepping Ahead finished more than four lengths ahead of Sennockian Star when runner-up in this last year. Easy Terms was even further behind and hasn't raced since so will struggle to turn the tables. Sennockian Star's trainer, Mark Johnston, also runs Master Of Finance but he has some improving to do to get competitive in this grade while Goodwood Mirage has been disappointing over hurdles. Richard Fahey is also double-handed with course and distance winner Latenightrequest preferred to Hesketh Bank and Tim Easterby also has two entries. His SILVERY MOON is only a pound higher than when second in this grade at Newbury in October and has been kept ticking over in hurdles races. The grey ran some fair races last year and deserves to get his head in front, though it would be no surprise to see Gothic in the firing-line. Astronereus should also win more races this year, though possibly over 1m4f.
Sennockian Star 8-1 (9-4) Took keen hold in midfield, some late headway never on terms, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Maverick Wave (9-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcap (2) pol in Mar.
Goodwood Mirage (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Slowly away always behind, 15th of 16, 33l behind Nautilus (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Sep.
Latenightrequest 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 11th of 23, well behind Open Eagle (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Astronereus (IRE) 8-1fav (9-1) In touch, driven and effort when switched left 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, no impression when lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Battersea (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f (2) gf in Sep.
Gothic 7-2 (9-3) In touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 6, 9l behind Famous Kid (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sep.
Stepping Ahead (FR) 20-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed well over 3f out, soon lost place, behind when eased 2f out, last of 15, 42l behind Air Pilot (8-6) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) sft in Sep.
Silvery Moon (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leading trio, ridden over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, went 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Burano (8-9) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) sft in Oct.
Easy Terms 11-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, never a factor, 9th of 10, 27l behind Clayton (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Apr '14.
Maven 25-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Open Eagle (9-5) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Nov.
Master Of Finance (IRE) 28-1 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 10, 10l behind Docs Legacy (8-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) in Nov.
Hesketh Bank 50-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, ridden 5f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased, 20th of 24, 39l behind Farquhar (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 4f her hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Oct.
