in touch in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, asserted near finish
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
in touch in rear, headway over 2f out, every chance when edged right over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace
pressed leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakening when short of room soon after
led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
slow into stride in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, virtually pulled up final 2f
keen close up, ridden and weakened 2f out
Lord Franklin is very consistent at this sort of level and comes here on a hat-trick, though he's up another 6lb and this is tougher. Dark Ruler finished third in this a year ago and has been in fine form subsequently. The last time he ran over this trip on soft ground he won at Doncaster but he's much higher in the weights now. Docs Legacy is up to winning at this grade on soft ground and should be in the mix but Dubawi Fun is tackling this trip for the first time. BUREAU scored over this trip at Ripon on soft ground in the summer and has been racing at a higher level. He's on exactly the same mark and can provide Mark Johnston with another success.
Dark Ruler (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, switched left well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Hidden Gold (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Sep.
Docs Legacy (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 5f out, kept on and well held inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Stetchworth (8-13) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Ardmay (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 10, 6l behind Stetchworth (8-13) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Lord Franklin 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders on outside, 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Nottingham 1m (5) sft beating Lady Guinevere (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Bureau (IRE) 16-1 (7-13) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Winter Thunder (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f app hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Dubawi Fun 16-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Brigliadoro (8-10) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Dual Mac 12-1 (8-5) Always towards rear, 13th of 16, 10l behind Karaka Jack (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcp (2) gd.
Pivotman 33-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 18, 6l behind Eurystheus (9-4) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Luv U Whatever 25-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, chased clear leading pair, hampered over 3f out, soon lost place and behind, 7th of 9, 13l behind Christopher Wren (9-7) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Blue Maisey 5-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 15l behind Breakable (9-2) at Newcastle 7f fll hcp (5) gf.
