held up in rear, some headway from 4 out, ridden after 2 out, never able to challenge
held up towards rear, went 4th before 5 out, headway before 2 out, led last, held on well towards finish
held up in touch, went 3rd before 18th, went 2nd before 2 out, weakened last
in touch in 4th, ridden before 19th, weakened before 6 out
with leader, lost place 12th, reminders before 16th and in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, with leader 4th, mistake 13th, led 18th, headed last, kept on
led to 18th, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
Royale Knight is bidding for back-to-victories in this marathon. He has 12lb more to carry this time but should again beat last year's well-beaten fourth Sun Cloud with a run over hurdles under his belt. The runner-up LACKAMON is a massive 26lb better off, however, so gets the nod to take his revenge. Sue Smith's stayer never figured over hurdles on his reappearance but that will have blown away any cobwebs. Woodford County also stays well and loves the mud but can ruin his chances with sloppy jumping and may just need this. Twirling Magnet and Pinerolo are also returning from a break while Finish The Story has been struggling to win in lesser races.
Sun Cloud (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 8th, headway before 3 out, 3rd and one pace before next, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 21 1/4l behind Sealous Scout (10-12) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Royale Knight 7-1 (10-11) In rear, ridden after 9th, lost touch before 4 out, last of 7, dist behind Sir Mangan (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Twirling Magnet (IRE) 8-1fav (10-13) Held up in rear, headway after 14th, ridden from 3 out, no extra flat, 6th of 17, 15 3/4l behind Shuil Royale (10-5) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jun.
Woodford County 6-1fav (11-12) Prominent until after 4th, chased leaders, mistake 17th, soon ridden, weakened after next, 7th of 13, 31 1/2l behind William Money (11-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Pinerolo 8-1 (11-10) Reminders leaving start, chased leaders, challenged 3rd, led next, clear last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in May beating Big Sound (11-3) by 6l, 7 ran.
Lackamon 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened from 6th, tailed off 4 out, 8th of 13, 28 3/4l behind Lord Wishes (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Finish The Story (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Led, headed after last, soon ridden, weakened and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Darsi Dancer (11-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
