in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened final 2f
chased leaders along halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden along over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
reared at start and towards rear, headway over 2f out, never reached challening position
behind and never a factor
always rear division
tracked leader, led over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to regain lead close home
towards rear, headway 2f out, never reached challenging position
towards rear, never a factor
mid-division, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
Nonrunner
Megalo Maniac was a smooth winner last time out and has to be followed again here this afternoon, Alsadaa and Branston Tiger look to be the main rivals. Richard fahey's charge was tackling this longer trip for the first time and appreciated it as, having been chased along on the turn, he stretched clear in the last 150 yards to win in the style of a horse who can complete a hat-trick. Branston Tiger is holding his form well and despite the advancing years, should be capable of getting into the action. Alsadaa hit winning form last time out, with a game success over course and distance, there may be more to come and he should reach the frame. Lucius Verrus is capable of taking a hand in the finish as well, however Megalo Maniac is hard to ignore in this mood and he gets our vote.
Larky's Lob 15-2 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 8l behind Count Cougar (8-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Joshua's Gold (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden along over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Malinsa Blue (8-4) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Alsadaa (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Apr beating Owed (9-4) by a nk, 10 ran.
Lytham (IRE) 7-2 (9-12) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 6l behind Strong Hand (9-7) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in May '05.
Cleveland 11-4fav (9-1) Pulled hard, chased winner, hung right to stand side rail over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Whitbarrow (8-13) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Apr.
Lucius Verrus (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Another Genepi (9-1) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
The Grey One (IRE) 11-2 (9-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 5th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Zazous (10-0) at Salisbury 7f ldy rds hcp (6) gf.
Megalo Maniac 2-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs beating Government (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
