chased leaders in 4th on inner, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, held on all out
took kean hold, led 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, driven on outer 2f out, no impression
in touch, hung on final furlong, not reach front pair
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
slowly away, held up in rear, not clear run towards inside over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
took keen hold in mid-division, weakened quickly 2f out and soon eased
close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
led to 5f out, stayed prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
A novelty race, so, as such, Bold Diktator is only a tentative nomination to emerge on top; with Firesong and Undeterred fancied to complete a clean sweep for the Flat jockeys again the Jumps boys. Wing Commander may be the best of the rest if Robert Thornton can keep him interested in the task in hand. Undeterred proved he stays when landing a claimer on the all weather 16 days ago. He has more on in this company but could feasibly have more to offer over this trip. Firesong met trouble in running when he finished behind Hail The Chief at Nottingham and many will be willing to give him another chance. He will also attract the 'Frankie pound' and is unlikely to represent the best value in the race. Therefore, Bold Diktator is forwarded as a more sporting option. Firm ground suits him ideally and, with Richard Hughes in such good from, he is sure to be given every assistance possible to cause a minor upset in the finale.
Barathea Dreams (IRE) 13-2fav (9-4) Went right at start, led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 22, 32l behind Mezuzah (8-5) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar.
Arry Dash 10-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway on inside 2f out, soon ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 7l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Corran Ard (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up, progress over 3f out, 3rd and challenged 2f out, close 2nd and every chance over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Rajayla (8-9) at Roscommon 1m 2f 3yo mdn gf in Jun '04.
Kingsholm 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, kept on well, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct beating Prince Vector (9-1) by 3/4l, 20 ran.
Wing Commander 25-1 (8-2) Mid-division, effort when switched left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 10th of 18, 12l behind Rio Riva (9-2) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, behind, hung left and ran on final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 6l behind Steel Blue (9-0) at Epsom 7f stk 0-80 (4) gs in Oct.
Firesong 7-1 (9-4) Soon midfield, headway and not clear run 2f out, switched and ran on well, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Hail The Chief (9-5) at Nottingham 1m hcap (5) sft.
Della Salute 20-1 (8-11) Slowly away, behind, one pace, no chance when hampered approaching final furlong, 13th of 15, 14l behind Pride of Nation (8-12) at Bath 1m hcap (4) gd.
Brief Goodbye 9-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, lost place over 5f out, last of 9, 34l behind Sweet Indulgence (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Northern Desert (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, never in contention, 7th of 11, 20l behind Obrigado (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Undeterred 12-1 (10-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f amt clm stk (6) pol beating Lord Chamberlain (10-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bold Diktator 18-1 (8-4) Held up, in touch over 2f out, no progress, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 11l behind Wavertree Warrior (8-5) at Windsor 1m hcap (4) gd.
Lifted Way 33-1 (8-11) Led after 2f, headed 2f out, gradually weakened, last of 12, 25l behind Logsdail (8-9) at Sandown 7f hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Quasimodo (GB) 40-1 (8-5) Behind, outpaced and in rear after 3f, well behind final 3f, last of 14, well behind Wavertree Warrior (8-5) at Windsor 1m hcap (4) gd.
