tracked leader far side, weakened entering final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd far side, led far side group well over 1 fout, soon hung right, kept on and no impression on stand side leaders
led far side, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch stand side, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear far side, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division stand side, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear stand side, never dangerous
led stand side and overall leader, headed by stand side group inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
with leader stand side, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, in rear stand side, outpaced
mid-division stand side, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear stand side, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on
behind stand side, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no impression
Secret City won last year's renewal off a lower mark and a recent second at Catterick suggests another bold bid is likely. Beckermet picked up a claimer at Redcar last time beating Dickie Le Davoir in the process and may figure along with recent course and distance winner Mission Impossible. The latter beat Mercers Row and Commanche Raider on that occasion while Half A Crown has a shout on his return to action. STORM LIGHTNING makes his debut for new connections having won at Navan in October. He gets a speculative vote with Ryan Clark negating most of a 5lb rise.
Mon Brav 14-1 (8-11) In rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 11l behind Outpost (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Nov.
Storm Lightning 16-1 (9-1) Always prominent, in front 2f out, pressed and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Navan 5f App hcp hvy in Oct, 12 ran.
Lenny Bee 14-1 (9-2) Dwelt, pushed along in rear, headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Forest Edge (9-1) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Beckermet (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Made all, ridden 2f out, edged slightly right inside final furlong, held on well, won at Redcar 6f clm stks (6) gf beating Alaskan Bullet (9-10) by hd, 5 ran.
Swilly Ferry (USA) 10-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, eased final furlong, 9th of 11, 35l behind Johnny Cavagin (8-13) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Mission Impossible 18-1 (8-13) Raced far side, chased leaders, went 2nd in group 2f out, led group and overall 1f out, driven out, won at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr beating Chester Aristocrat (8-11) by nk, 17 ran.
Commanche Raider (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Raced far side, in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened 2f out, 16th of 17, 17l behind Mission Impossible (8-13) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Mercers Row 33-1 (9-2) Raced near side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, not clearest of runs and ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd in group nearing finish, not pace of 1st 3 far side, 5th of 17, 4l behind Mission Impossible (8-13) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Half A Crown (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, effort well over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Hoover (8-10) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Spykes Bay (USA) 5-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 7l behind Bang Tidy (8-10) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Sleepy Blue Ocean 6-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 13, 6l behind Clubland (8-12) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Dickie Le Davoir 20-1 (9-4) Soon in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Beckermet (9-4) at Redcar 6f clm stks (6) gf.
Diamond Blue 25-1 (9-6) Towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 14, 19l behind Creek Falcon (8-10) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Secret City (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, eased last strides, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Thrust Control (8-12) at Catterick 7f app hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Illustrious Prince (IRE) 6-1fav (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, one pace in 3rd in closing stages, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Methaaly (8-8) at Windsor 6f app hcp (6) gf.
